Here. I. Am.

I Samuel 3: 6-8 (NIVUK)

Again the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’
‘My son,’ Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
A third time the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’
Then Eli realised that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’

The Bible study leader looked around our group and asked: 'When did you last hear God's voice?' I went into an internal spiritual spin: When did I? Can't think? Perhaps never?' And then my spirit settled - of course, I last heard God's voice a few moments ago when we read the Bible passage together!

Whenever we opened God's word (God's word), written down by human beings but inspired throughout by the Holy Spirit, he is speaking to us of who he is, what he has done, what he wants for us. He speaks comfort, purpose, challenge, direction and above all love into our minds and souls. His Word, his voice, is alive, active and listenable to. 

God's primary way of communicating with us has always been through Scripture, but there are times he also speaks through others, through worship, through dreams, through circumstances, through books, through that quiet whisper over-riding other thoughts in our minds and spirits - every message then to be tested against the truth of the Bible.

It is a very rare occurrence for God to speak to someone audibly, directly. (Indeed, were I to begin to 'hear voices' it would be time to seek medical intervention!) However, with the child Samuel, it was different. Remember, he had only very early scriptures to read and learn in the temple. God speaks audibly to this special child. And of course, in his innocence, Samuel sensibly assumes his master, Eli, has called him. It takes Eli a while to cotton on that God wants a real encounter with Samuel.

Eli's instructions to Samuel are important. When God calls again, Samuel is to say: 

'Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.'

I need to learn that. Stop talking at God for a moment. Start listening to him.

Prayer- Here I am Lord. I've stopped. Please speak. I'm listening......