The Correct Answer

Experience -vs- Expectation

1 Samuel 3:1–5 HCSB

The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. One day Eli, whose eyesight was failing, was lying in his room. Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the tabernacle of the Lord, where the ark of God was located. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.

At this time Israel was experiencing a Spiritual draught they had not heard from the Lord in a long time not in the ways they had in the past. Experience had taught them self reliance…God no longer spoke, not really … Into this space into this time God chose to speak. he did not speak to Eli the one that was supposed to hear from God, the reason is simple if you go up one chapter we find Eli’s family being judged.

A little ground work.

Eli’s son’s had issues...

1 Samuel 2:12 HCSB

Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord

Samuel served.

1 Samuel 2:18 HCSB

The boy Samuel served in the Lord’s presence and wore a linen ephod.

Eli’s sons knew about the Lord, but didn’t know the lord.

1 Samuel 2:22–25 HCSB

Now Eli was very old. He heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He said to them, “Why are you doing these things? I have heard about your evil actions from all these people. No, my sons, the report I hear from the Lord’s people is not good. If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him, but if a man sins against the Lord, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the Lord intended to kill them.

Samuel knew about he lord…and knew the lord.

1 Samuel 2:26 HCSB

By contrast, the boy Samuel grew in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.

Voice Recognition.

In order to know the answer you have to prepare.

1 Samuel 3:6 HCSB

Once again the Lord called, “Samuel!” Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call, my son,” he replied. “Go back and lie down.”

A trained ear.

1 Samuel 3:7–9 HCSB

Now Samuel had not yet experienced the Lord, because the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. Once again, for the third time, the Lord called Samuel. He got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. He told Samuel, “Go and lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

The answer is up to you!

1 Samuel 3:10 HCSB

The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel responded, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

Samuel could have chosen to roll over and go back to sleep.. he could have ignored the call of God, he could have kept running to Eli because it made no sense that God was going to call him.

He chose to say Speak lord for your servant is LISTENING

This Weeks Challenge

Take time away. Spend time each day quietly waiting, listening for the voice of God in your life. No music, no open Bible, no prayer list. Just you and silence, waiting on God to show you the things he wants to show you.