Everyone wants direction, but few develop discernment. Hearing from God is not mystical—it is relational and learned.
In 1 Samuel 3, we see a young boy who learns how to hear God clearly in a spiritually confused generation.
3:1-21: The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’ 5 And he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’
But Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down.
6 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.’
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 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. 9 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.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’
11 And the Lord said to Samuel: ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family – from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family for ever because of the sin he knew about; his sons uttered blasphemies against God, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, “The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.”’
15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, ‘Samuel, my son.’
Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’
17 ‘What was it he said to you?’ Eli asked. ‘Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.’ 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, ‘He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.’
19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognised that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
3:1: In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
Those who knew how to hear God had grown dull, lazy, not attentive. Samuel made himself available to hear God’s voice.
You can win at hearing from God if you develop the posture, practice, and perseverance of Samuel.
1. A Sensitive Heart
3:3-4: The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’
Truth: God speaks most clearly to those who serve Him faithfully, even before they fully recognise His voice.
Illustration: Smartphone Notifications
Most of us don’t miss messages because our phone isn’t working—we miss them because:
- Notifications are muted
- The phone is on “Do Not Disturb”
- We’re distracted by other apps
God’s voice hasn’t stopped speaking, but many hearts are on spiritual silent mode.
This church has many Whatsapp groups. Many! I had muted the one that is the Staff Team. Then, running up to Christmas, they messaged me but I did not read it. Many memes followed. (These can be shown on the screen).
Samuel was serving before hearing. Often people will wait for God tell them to serve (which He already has through his Word - Eph. 6:7-8) but here we see God’s voice is recognisable as we serve.
God often speaks in ordinary obedience, not dramatic moments. The heart comes before the voice.
God doesn’t shout over distractions—He waits for stillness.
2. Recognising God’s Voice
3:4–7: Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, ‘Here I am.’ 5 And he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’
But Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down.
6 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.’
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
Truth: God’s voice must be learned—it is often mistaken at first.
Illustration: Spam Calls & Unknown Numbers:
We receive so many robocalls that we’ve trained ourselves not to answer unfamiliar voices.
believers often confuse:
- God’s voice
- Their own emotions
- Cultural pressure
- Other people’s opinions
Samuel thought God was Eli because he had never heard God before.
Samuel confused God’s voice with Eli’s.
Immaturity does not disqualify us hearing from God.
Familiar voices can drown out the Lord’s voice.
John 10:27 – My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
You don’t recognize God’s voice instantly—you recognize it eventually.
3. Requiring Godly Mentorship
3:8–9: 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. 9 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.
Truth: God often uses spiritual leaders/mature Christians to help us discern His voice.
Eli was flawed, but still useful. Discernment sometimes comes from others before ourselves.
Illustration: SATNAV Navigation
When a driver misses a turn, the GPS doesn’t yell—it calmly says: “Recalculating…”
Eli didn’t condemn Samuel; he redirected him.
Godly mentors help us:
- Interpret what we’re hearing
- Discern if it’s truly God
- Recalibrate our response
Eli didn’t insert himself; he did not try and steal what God was saying to the boy. He pointed Samuel to God.
Sometimes people are just interest in gaining follows and likes on socials, that’s inserting yourself. Maturity points you to Jesus.
Proverbs 11:14: For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisors.
1 Corinthians 11:1: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
God gives leaders to mature believers (Ephesians 4:11–13)
Mature believers help us recognize when God is speaking—even when they are imperfect.
4. A Willing Response
3:10b: Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’
Truth: God speaks more clearly to those who are ready to obey, not just listen.
Illustration: Clicking “I Agree”
Most people click “I agree” without reading the T’s & C’s on agreements. But Samuel’s prayer wasn’t casual: “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.” He agreed before he knew the message.
Many believers say:
“Speak, Lord—but don’t challenge me”
“Guide me—but don’t disrupt me”
Samuel called himself a servant. God speaks when surrender is declared
James 1:22: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Isaiah 6:8: 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’
And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’
Illustration
God doesn’t speak clearly to negotiators—He speaks to servants.
5. Producing Fruit
3:19–21:The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognised that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
[The Lord] let none of his words fall to the ground. (19b)
Truth: When you hear God consistently, credibility and clarity follow.
Samuel’s words carried weight. His hearing produced impact. God revealed Himself repeatedly to Samuel through his life. He became a great prophet.
John 15:7: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
When you hear God accurately, people start trusting what you say.
Landing the Message:
To win at hearing from God:
- Cultivate a sensitive heart
- Learn to recognize His voice
- Submit to godly counsel
- Respond with obedient surrender
- Expect fruit and confirmation
Can you honestly pray today:
“Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening—and I’m ready to obey.”
Comments
Post a Comment