READY TO HEAR FROM GOD
Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office. The young man filled out his form and sat down with the several other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn’t heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified. Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, “Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled.” The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, “Wait a minute, I don’t understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That’s not fair!” The employer said, “I’m sorry, but all the time you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: ‘If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.’ None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did so the job is his.”
We live in a world that is full of busyness and clatter, like that office. People are distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as he speaks to them. What about you? Are you tuned in to God’s voice? Do you hear him when he speaks to you?
1 Sam 3:1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual 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. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, " Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel , "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, `Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, " Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Samuel was an answer to prayer. The background of his birth is found in the first chapter:
1 Sam 1:10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."
Samuel, like Samson who lived a few hundred years earlier, was set apart from birth to be a Nazirite. His birth was also miraculous. He was special. Even though he was dedicated to the Lord and served at the tabernacle, he did not know God. This can happen in the church today.
Samuel was so close and yet so far away. Maybe you can relate to that. You can be dedicated to God as a child, raised in the church, attend Sunday school. You can spend your life surrounded by God’s word and His people but not have a personal relationship with him.
The Amazon River is the largest river in the world. The mouth is 90 miles across. There is enough water to exceed the combined flow of the Yangtze, Mississippi, and Nile Rivers. So much water comes from the Amazon that they can detect its currents 200 miles out in the Atlantic Ocean. One irony of ancient navigation is that sailors in ancient times died for lack of water -- caught in windless waters of the South Atlantic. They were adrift, helpless, dying of thirst. Sometimes other ships from South America who knew the area would come alongside and call out, "What is your problem?" And they would exclaim, "Can you spare us some water? Our sailors are dying of thirst!" And from the other ship would come the cry, "just lower your buckets. You are in the mouth of the mighty Amazon River." The irony of ancient Israel and the tragedy around us today is that God, the fountain of living water, is right here and people don’t recognize Him!
Even though Samuel did not know the Lord he was at the right place and was doing the right things to begin that relationship. He was ready to hear from God. How about you? Are you ready to hear from God? Let me suggest 3 things that help you to be ready:
1. Samuel had a Servant’s Heart – proper practice
Samuel grew up serving in the tabernacle. From his earliest memory this is what he knew and was faithful in his service. He had a good reputation amongst the people. This is in contrast with Eli’s sons who, though they were the son of a prophet, misused their position.
1 Sam 2:17 This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt. 18 But Samuel was ministering before the LORD
1 Sam 2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the LORD’s people. …26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.
There are a lot of reasons that people come to church. Some come just to see what it is like. Some come because their parents make them come. Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than sleeping in a garage makes you a car. A lot of what you get out of church depends upon what you put into it. It is all about attitude.
Jer 29: 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Samuel did not know the Lord but he was faithful in obeying what he did know. How about you? Where are you at today? You may not know all the answers but are you willing to ask the right questions? Is your heart ready to receive?
Jim Smith went to church on Sunday morning. He heard the organist miss a note during the prelude, and he winced. He saw a teenager talking when everybody was supposed to be bowed in silent prayer. He felt like the usher was watching to see what he put in the offering plate and it made him boil. He caught the preacher making a slip of the tongue five times in the sermon by actual count. As he slipped out through the side door during the closing hymn, he muttered to himself, "Never again, what a bunch of clods and hypocrites!"
Ron Jones went to church one Sunday morning. He heard the organist play an arrangement of "A Mighty Fortress" and he thrilled at the majesty of it. He heard a young girl take a moment in the service to speak her simple moving message of the difference her faith makes in her life. He was glad to see that this church was sharing in a special offering for the hungry children of Nigeria. He especially appreciated the sermon that Sunday--it answered a question that had bothered him for a long time. He thought as he walked out the doors of the church, "How can a man come here and not feel the presence of God?" Both were at the same church, on the same Sunday. Each found what he was looking for.
2. Samuel was in the Tabernacle – proper proximity
The tabernacle was the centre of worship for Israel. God gave it to Moses as theology in physical form. The articles in the tabernacle each represented a step towards God’s presence. While many people including Samuel probably did not understand what the symbolism meant he stayed with it.
I know people who go to church and are exposed to all the things that happen who, even though they do not fully understand what is happening, are still drawn to it. I know that, to newcomers, church can be a very confusing place. People talk funny and do strange things that most people do not normally do. Often Christians can forget that the culture that they have grown up in is not the norm and they expect everyone to understand what they do. Add to this fact that often things can be misunderstood or are poorly communicated.
Have you ever sung that song “I’m under the blood of the lamb.” I wonder what visitors who have no idea of what Christianity means think when they hear that song?
As if all this were not enough, church can be a funny place. I love the times AFV show videos of the crazy things that sometimes happen in church. Look at some of these actual bloopers that have been found in church bulletins over the years:
• The scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items for recycling. Proceeds will be used to cripple children
• Next Sunday’s Message – WHAT IS HELL, come early and hear our choir
• Weight watchers meeting Tuesday; please use large double doors at the side entrance
• Before the service ushers will eat newcomers
• Remember to pray for the many people who are sick of our church and the community
• Our minister is on vacation; massages can be given to the secretary
• This being Easter Sunday, Mrs. Johnson will lay an egg on the piano
• The flowers on the altar are provided by Jason Edwards, the sin of Pastor and Mrs. Edwards.
If you are here today and you are still seeking the Lord than I apologize for our weirdness. I do believe you are in the right place though and I am thankful for your patience.
3. Samuel was Willing to Listen – proper position
Samuel had the right heart and was in the right place when the Lord spoke to him. At first he did not understand that it was God that was speaking to him. He thought in the natural that it must have been Eli. God was speaking but Samuel did not yet recognize His voice.
Could it be that God has been trying to speak to you for some time but you have just not been recognizing His voice? Perhaps you have been to church and have heard or felt something in your heart but you have just written it off as sentimentality. God is speaking to you.
With the help of Eli. Samuel prepared himself and put himself in a position that he finally was able to respond to God’s invitation.
A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, “I hear a cricket.” His friend said, “What? You must be crazy. You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!” “No, I’m sure of it,” the Native American said. “I heard a cricket.”
“That’s crazy,” said the friend. The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed. “That’s incredible,” said his friend. “You must have super-human ears!”
“No,” said the Native American. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.” “But that can’t be!” said the friend. “I could never hear a cricket in this noise.” “Yes, it’s true,” came the reply. “It depends on what you’re listening for. Here, let me show you.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs. “See what I mean?” asked the Native American. “It all depends on what you’re listening for.”
Maybe you are here today and you can relate to Samuel. You have seen the worship and heard the word but are wondering if there is more. I believe that God want to speak with you this morning. I believe He is calling your name. What do you expect he might say to you?
Anticipation, carries with it the idea of expectation. A young minister was distraught by the lack of results in his new church after his first few months of service. He visited D.L. Moody for some advice. Moody asked, “Do you expect decisions ever Sunday, when you preach? The young man replied “no”. There is your problem – You Should.
So often we expect God to show up in a flashy or visible manner but we miss the miracle of the still small voice. God is speaking today. The almighty King of all creation is calling your name. Will you respond to His call. I hope this morning that all of us like Samuel can say “Speak, for your servant is listening”.
