Some thoughts on hearing God’s voice/call from this morning’s Old Testament reading.
1. Sometimes the voice of God sounds kinda like the voice of man, especially like the voice of our spiritual mentors.
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.” 1 Samuel 3:6
– Samuel heard God calling, but he thought it was Eli.
– It is common to hear God and think it is just the voice of a preacher or leader.
2. Sometimes we need spiritual leaders to help us discern the call of God.
The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 1 Samuel 3:8
– Eli was the first to realize that God was calling Samuel.
– Do you have an “Eli” in your life to help you discern the call of God?
3. Spiritual leaders are not supposed to be the voice of God; they are supposed to teach people how to hear and respond to the voice of God.
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. 1 Samuel 3:9
– Eli did not try to be the voice of God for Samuel.
– Eli simply tried to teach Sam how to respond to God’s voice.
– Hearing God’s voice and responding to it are two different things.
– Have you responded to God’s voice/calling?
