Speak, O Lord!
1 Samuel 3:10b “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
How well are you at taking advice from other people? Even more revealing – how well are you at asking others for advice and taking their advice?
People of all ages don’t always do well at listening to other people when they want to advise, direct or encourage them. Both young and old alike have been known to reply “shut up” when someone else is trying to help them see how they might do something.
Let’s take this conversation to a whole new level. How well are you at listening to God? Even more how good are you at asking God for advice and then taking him at his word?
It is often said that we need to have “the faith of a child.” This week’s Bible verse is a great demonstration of “the faith of a child.”
Samuel was a boy whom his mother had prayed for and when the Lord answered her prayer, she kept her promise and gave him to the service of the Lord. Around the age of 3, young Samuel went to live at the temple in Jerusalem. He served alongside the high priest, Eli.
In contrast to Eli’s sons, who were disobedient and rebellious, young Samuel was humble and faith-filled. He heard a voice calling him and thought it was Eli, but Eli told him it was God speaking to him. When Samuel heard that from Eli, he didn’t question him or try to understand. He simply responded in faith with the words of our verse for this week “Speak, for your servant is listening.”.
There are two very significant words in that verse “speak” and “servant.” With the simple, faith-filled response of “speak,” Samuel is submitting himself to the Lord’s word and will. He is willing to listen to whatever God had to say to him and then do what God has in mind for him. Samuel also describes himself as a “servant,” one willing to serve whomever and however.
So now ask yourself, are you ready and willing to reply to God’s call to you in your life: “Speak, for your servant is listening.”? Are you willing to submit yourself to God’s word and will and are you making yourself willing to serve whomever and however?
May God give you the faith and the willingness to say “Speak, for your servant is listening.”!