When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10)
When the Lord first revealed Himself to Samuel the prophet, Samuel did not recognize His voice and thought it was Eli calling Him. Eli advised Samuel that it was the Lord calling. So, on the third time, Samuel recognized the Lord and said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Here are some of my reflections:
1. We need a mentor. Eli was Samuel's mentor and helped him in recognizing the voice of the Lord. In our spiritual journey, when we do not seem to hear the Lord, the Lord has sends us people to help us hear Him. That person may be a priest in your area, your prayer group leader, your parents, or a friend.
2. We need to obey. Samuel could have dismissed Eli's advise for visions and revelations were uncommon during Samuel's time. But He followed Eli's advice and he recognized the Lord. Obedience requires discipline, commitment, and humility. Most often, obedience does not require us to fully understand a situation, but to trust. When we are given a new service assignment by our leaders, we do not fully understand yet why we were chosen or if ever we will succeed. Often we only realize the wisdom when we have obeyed and proceeded with the service.
3. We need have a posture of servant. The word servant had a deeper impact in the Ancient times. It meant that you have no freedom and that you have been bought to do your master's bidding. So when Samuel said, "Speak for your servant is listening," he had the posture of being fully disposed of whatever the Lord wants Him to do. Often, we are choosy. We complain and grumble. The posture of a servant is humble and submissive. It is through humble hearts where the Lord speaks loud and clear.
Today let us listen to our Lord and do his bidding.
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10)
When the Lord first revealed Himself to Samuel the prophet, Samuel did not recognize His voice and thought it was Eli calling Him. Eli advised Samuel that it was the Lord calling. So, on the third time, Samuel recognized the Lord and said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Here are some of my reflections:
1. We need a mentor. Eli was Samuel's mentor and helped him in recognizing the voice of the Lord. In our spiritual journey, when we do not seem to hear the Lord, the Lord has sends us people to help us hear Him. That person may be a priest in your area, your prayer group leader, your parents, or a friend.
2. We need to obey. Samuel could have dismissed Eli's advise for visions and revelations were uncommon during Samuel's time. But He followed Eli's advice and he recognized the Lord. Obedience requires discipline, commitment, and humility. Most often, obedience does not require us to fully understand a situation, but to trust. When we are given a new service assignment by our leaders, we do not fully understand yet why we were chosen or if ever we will succeed. Often we only realize the wisdom when we have obeyed and proceeded with the service.
3. We need have a posture of servant. The word servant had a deeper impact in the Ancient times. It meant that you have no freedom and that you have been bought to do your master's bidding. So when Samuel said, "Speak for your servant is listening," he had the posture of being fully disposed of whatever the Lord wants Him to do. Often, we are choosy. We complain and grumble. The posture of a servant is humble and submissive. It is through humble hearts where the Lord speaks loud and clear.
Today let us listen to our Lord and do his bidding.
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