1 Samuel 3:10
“And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel,
Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
When we think of the call of the LORD, we often think of the LORD calling someone into full-time ministry. Though the call of the LORD often means that, every Christian can hear the call of the LORD. In fact, if every Christian would heed the call of the LORD it would change this world.
Samuel was just a young boy who had yet realized the calling of the LORD. One night while he was asleep, the LORD called him. Samuel thought the voice was the voice of Eli, so he quickly ran to Eli to see what was needed. After hearing this voice three times, Eli realized that the LORD was calling Samuel. Eli told Samuel that the next time he heard the voice that he was to say, “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.” Samuel did exactly what Eli told him to do, and it was then that he learned of the LORD’s will for his life. In this story, five things are evident in Samuel’s life that caused him to hear the call of the LORD.
First, Samuel was yielded. Every time he heard the call, he ran to Eli and said, “Here am I.” You will never hear the LORD speak to you until you have a yielded heart. One reason many Christians don’t hear the call of God is because their ear is yielded to the world and not to God. You will never hear the LORD speak when you are more anxious to respond to the world than to Christ. If you are truly desirous to hear the voice of the LORD in your life, you had better get a yielded ear to His voice.
Second, Samuel was obedient. Every time Samuel heard the LORD’s voice, he ran to Eli to learn what he wanted. God’s call comes to the obedient. If you want to hear the LORD speak, you had better learn to obey when He speaks. Let me remind you that He speaks through His Word. If you won’t obey His Word, why should He speak to your heart? The obedient life always has a yielded ear to what the LORD wants them to do, and that is why they hear His voice.
Third, Samuel was busy. One reason God knew that Samuel had a heart to obey and a spirit that was yielded was because he was busy ministering to the LORD. God is not going to call the person who is sitting idly, but He does call the person who is already busy doing what His Word tells them to do. An obedient heart and a yielded spirit always produces a ministering Christian. You will find that God speaks to those who are helping others. If you are not hearing the LORD speak, you had better check to see if you are serving yourself or if you are serving others.
Fourth, Samuel was listening. Samuel heard the voice of the LORD in the quietness of his room. My friend, if you want to hear the LORD speak, get alone with him, shut everything off, and let Him speak to you through His Word and prayer. Psalm 46:10 is still true when it says, “Be still, and know that I am God…” It is always in the quiet time when the heart is calmed and you are listening that the LORD can speak clearly.
Fifth, Samuel was humble. Samuel thought of himself as a servant, and that is why the LORD spake to him. A servant’s heart is the result of a humble spirit, and the LORD gladly speaks to the humble person. James 4:6 says, “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Stay humble, and you will hear the LORD’s voice.