03. Hearing God's Voice (1 Samuel 3) Series

Hearing God’s Voice – The Calling of Samuel

March 12, 2025

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

1 Samuel 3

Introduction: Learning to Listen in a Noisy World

In the early days of radio, the world marveled at the ability to send messages across vast distances. Yet, early broadcasts were often plagued with interference and static, making it difficult to discern voices clearly. Listeners had to tune in carefully to hear the right frequency.

Hearing God’s voice requires the same intentional tuning in. 1 Samuel 3 presents the powerful moment when young Samuel learns to hear the voice of God. In contrast, Eli and his corrupt sons have become spiritually deaf. This chapter challenges us to ask: Are we tuned in to hear God’s voice, or have we let the noise of the world drown Him out?

I. The Silence Before the Call (1 Samuel 3:1-3)

The chapter opens with a striking statement: “And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision” (v. 1). This signals a spiritual drought in Israel—a time when God’s voice was largely unheard due to widespread corruption.

1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. (1 Samuel 3:1–3)

A. Negative Aspects of God’s Silence (When Silence is a Judgment)

In 1 Samuel 3:1, it says: “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.”

This tells us that God’s silence was not accidental—it had meaning. Sometimes, God’s silence is due to judgment and sin, but other times, it is a time of waiting and preparation.

Silence can mean God is withholding His voice due to sin, rebellion, or lack of faith. Here are scriptures that illustrate this:

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it. (Amos 8:11–12)

Amos 8:11-12 – A Famine of Hearing God’s Word

When people reject God repeatedly, He withdraws His voice until they are desperate to hear Him again

This was happening in Eli’s day—sin had muted the voice of God.

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. (Isaiah 59:1–2)

Isaiah 59:1-2 – Sin Separates Us from God

Sin creates spiritual deafness—not on God’s part, but on ours. Eli’s household had been warned, but they continued in corruption.

Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil. (Micah 3:4)

Micah 3:4 – God Hides His Face from the Wicked

There comes a point where continued rebellion leads to silence.

God’s silence was part of Israel’s judgment during the time of the judges.

B. Positive Aspects of God’s Silence (When Silence is a Season of Testing & Growth)

There are also times when God is silent because He is teaching us to trust Him deeper. Here are some biblical examples:

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

Psalm 46:10 – Silence Can Be an Invitation to Trust

Sometimes God is silent because He is drawing us into deeper faith.

Silence is not absence—it is an invitation to lean in.

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:25–26)

Lamentations 3:25-26 – Waiting in Silence for the Lord

Sometimes, silence is not punishment but preparation for something greater.

Samuel experienced a season of quiet faithfulness before God called him.

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3)