I Samuel 3:1-14
This story reflects a simpler view of life than what we see in our relationship with God today. It would be so simple if God spoke to us in an audible voice.
The question is not does God still speak to us, but do we listen when He SPEAKS?
Do we know the difference between His voice and all the other voices in this world? There is a difference!!
On the one hand is the people at work that don’t know the Lord, family and friends that may have the best intentions in the world but don’t know Godly council and some other people that just don’t have your best interest in mind because of jealousy, envy or any other thing that hinders.
On the other hand is the voice of God. His word, His Spirit guiding us,people in the church that love you and God uses to bring a word to your life, anointed men and women of God that the Lord has placed in our path like the ones in the fivefold ministry (Ephesians 4:11-14,"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the Lord’s ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of man, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive".
You see the only way that we will get to the fulness of God is if we listen to the voice of God. and He uses anointed people to deliver His word. If we are going to go to anyone let it be someone that can help us and not deceive us with beautiful words.
Someone who is experienced at listening to God’s voice.
Someone who has heard from God and has made the right decisions in their own lives. This is the type of person that can bring you a word from God.
We see this in Samuel’s case that God placed Eli by His side to teach him. Eli was a prophet of God who was experienced at listening to God’s voice.
Samuel was also growing physically and spiritully in his relationship with God and so must we if we want to be able to hear his voice clearly.
" IT’S TIME TO GROW UP "
Some people think that every voice they hear is God. Always jumping around from church to church and from one place to another to get a word from God when all they have to do is look in their bible and the answer is there. You dont have to go too far, it’s in front of you !!!
WHEN DO WE HEAR GOD TALKING TO US?
#1. When our hearts are tender. Remember when you gave your heart to Jesus?, You were like a little child and all you wanted to do was to be with him and talk to Him and to hear His voice. Your heart was tender and you could hear God talking.
#2. When we are in His service. Samuel had dedicated all his life to serving the Lord, therefore, He was a great candidate for hearing the voice of God.
#3. When we become totally dependent on God.
He could have used Eli to speak to Samuel but God wanted to teach Samuel to depend on Him alone.
#4. When there is a need.
God said in Samuel 2:35; "I have chosen someone else to be my priest, someone who will be faithful and obey".
Eli and his sons were not doing what God required so God was preparing Samuel.
#5. When we seek him.
The Bible says that if we seek Him, WE WILL FIND HIM.
We are saved because we saught after Him.
God intructs us time and time again to approach and seek God.
SEEK HIM WITH THY HEART,(Det.4:29)
IF THOU SEEK HIM, HE WILL BE FOUND,(I Chr.28:9)
IF THOU WOULDEST SEEK UNTO God,(Job 8:5)
and on and on
HE IS NOT SO FAR THAT WE CANNOT REACH HIM OR HEAR HIS VOICE.
