Nearness to God and Hearing His Voice

We are provided some context at the beginning of this chapter as well as reminded of what goes on in the end of chapter two. In the end of ch. 2 the Lord curses the household of Eli for His obedience. It is because of Eli’s disobedience as a priest that the men in his family will never grow to be old. It is also because of his neglect of the sacrifices that we learn that “the word of the Lord was rare in those days;”

Further, the man of God here, we are told, has lost his eyesight despite the fact that the lamp of the Lord had not gone out. This could be seen as a description of Eli’s physical decline but I believe it to be representative of the fact that he had lost sight of what was most important spiritually.

And now we read here that Samuel hears from the Lord. Just because the others quit hearing from God because of their own wrongdoing does not mean that He has stopped speaking this altogether. So why Samuel? Well we know that He was continuing to remain faithful, ministering to the Lord despite the falling away of His mentor.

My points tonight will all assume nearness of God and answer the question:

What happens when we hear the voice of God?

First,

He Grabs Our Attention (v. 1-7)

There are four total times where God calls out to Samuel. These first few times it is clear that the Lord has his attention. Consider with me the times that God has grabbed your attention. Have you done the work necessary to determine if it is indeed His voice? Have you searched Him out by studying His word? Samuel has the appropriate response here. He has not realized to this point that it was the Lord and His word had not yet been revealed to Him. Regardless, He is doing what He can to determine who is calling Him.

I think of the sovereignty of God when I think about this instance. It is God who puts people in specific places to speak to us on His behalf. I’m thankful for those situations. And when He speaks, our attention should be all His. Next, when we hear the voice of God,

We Begin to Listen Expectantly (v. 8-9)

Eli finally comes to the realization that it is God who is calling for Samuel. It is at this point that Samuel begins to listen expectantly.

What does it mean for you and I to listen for God with expectations that He will speak? I have just three suggestions, although there are many other things we should do while listening for God.

Be Patient

Clear out distractions

Pray for boldness and obedience

We must listen expecting God to speak. But what happens when we appear before Him? When we hear the voice of God,

We Ask Him to Speak (v. 10)

I immediately think of Genesis 22 when I read the response of Samuel here. When God calls out to Abraham, His response is simple and communicates a willingness: “Here I am.”

The same can be said for Samuel. “Speak, your servant here.” Isn’t this the sort of attitude that every disciple of Jesus ought to have? Take me, Lord, an empty vessel and use me however you see fit! And yet, there are so many today that have managed to put parameters around what God would have for us to do. We ought to tell Him to speak with the plan of obeying, whatever it is.

Ask God to speak to you. Plead with Him often for His will to be revealed. Then, when He speaks,

God Reveals His Will (v. 11-14)

The news that is received is not pleasing to the ear. Yet, it is the will of God and it is just!

We should keep in mind at this point that God’s will is not always pleasing to all who hear it. It was certainly troubling to Samuel, yet He heard it and planned to obey.

We Have the Authority to Speak According to His Word (v. 15-18)

There is an obligation to share the word of God.

There is Fruit in Our Lives Because We Have Heard and Listened (v. 19-21)

We read that Samuel grew, which certainly means that he got older. But beyond that, it seems clear to me that He also grew in wisdom as well as grew closer to the Lord.

Does he have your attention?

Are you listening expectantly?

Have you asked Him to speak?

Are you seeking His will?

Are you obeying by sharing His word?

And have you grown because you have heard his voice? PRAISE