Responding To God's Call Series

PROPERLY RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALL

I Samuel 3:1-21

As Christians, we have the amazing privilege to be able to communicate directly with God. We talk to Him through prayer, and He speaks to us through His Word. Many people claim that they want to know God’s will for their life. However, they are not in a position where they can hear from Him. Others have heard from the Lord, but they did not like what He had to say. Perhaps He called them to go somewhere they don’t want to go or do something that they don’t want to do. Tragically, instead of responding in obedience, they rebelled and went their own way.

The Lord has a purpose, a plan, and a specific calling for each of His children. It is imperative that we respond accordingly when the Lord calls our name and reveals His plan for our lives. Our selected text concerning the life of the Prophet Samuel shows us how we can properly respond to the call of the God. His story shows us: how to hear from God, how to talk to God, and how to know His specific plan to use us for His glory.

The Father desires to show His children exactly where and how He would have them serve Him. I would like to look at a special moment in the life of Samuel and preach on the subject “Properly Responding To The Call Of God”

God desires for you to advance His Kingdom and bring Him glory. For this to happen, you must first be where He would have you to be. Thus, it is important it is for us to abide in the Lord’s presence. Samuel was one who dwelt continually in the presence of the Lord.

- His story shows us:

TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL, WE MUST BE IN A POSITION TO HEAR HIS VOICE

When anyone seeks to reach us with important information, the first step is for us to be able to hear them. For God to be able to communicate His will to us, we must abide in His presence. Samuel was one who dwelt continually in the presence of God. Notice:

v1 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.

Notice that Samuel was in the Temple of God. He was in this position because of the prayers and devotion of his mother Hannah. Before he was conceived, Hannah was barren, yet she possessed a great desire to have a child. In time, she became discouraged and was heavily burdened because she was unable to conceive. One day, filled with sorrow she entered the Temple and prayed.

1 Samuel 1:10 (Hannah) was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. 11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” 12 As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard...

When the priest, Eli saw Hannah he thought she was drunk. (v14 Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.) She went on to say, “I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Upon hearing this Eli said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.”

God honored her request and in time she gave birth to a son, and called him “Samuel”. After she had weaned Samuel, she took him to Eli at the Temple and “she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.”