RESPOND THE RIGHT WAY

02/23/2024

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:10).

There have been instances where we've called out our children's names without adding a specific request to come, and they responded with "Yes, Mom" or "Yes, Dad," continuing with their activities. However, there is a general expectation that we don't always need to say "Please come" for our kids to respond. Once they hear their names, the expectation is that they acknowledge and move toward the person who called them.

In 1 Samuel 3:4-5, it is written, "Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, 'Here I am.' And he ran to Eli and said, 'Here I am; you called me.'" The reason he ran to Eli instead of responding to God was because "...Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him" (1 Samuel 3:7). Thus, when God called him, he mistook God's voice for Eli's. However, he still understood the principle of responding to the one who calls.

Like everyone, particularly if you are born again, we can hear the voice of God. Jesus affirmed in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." However, merely hearing God's voice is insufficient. It's crucial to respond to God's voice swiftly.

Samuel heard the voice of God but initially mistook it for his master Eli calling him. This scenario was repeated multiple times. Each time the Lord called, "Samuel!" he would arise and go to Eli, saying, "Here I am; you called me." Eventually, Eli discerned that it was the Lord calling the boy. He instructed Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.'" When the Lord called again, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel responded, "Speak, for your servant is listening." Then 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."

What intrigues me about this encounter is that God could have conveyed His message directly without the back-and-forth exchange between Eli and Samuel. However, He chose not to do so. Similarly, with our children, although they hear their names, we often withhold the reason for calling them until we have their full attention. Likewise, God withheld His secret from Samuel until He had captured his attention.

I know you've heard the voice of God, but mere hearing isn't sufficient. The call is aimed at capturing your attention so that He can accomplish what He has always intended to do in and through your life. There are certain things that God cannot do if He doesn't have your undivided attention. Jesus articulates this concept in Matthew 22:14 (KJV), stating, "For many are called, but few are chosen." This implies that only those who respond to the call by actively moving in the direction of the one who called them are chosen.

For Eli, the appropriate response was to say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Similarly, your response may vary—it could involve fasting, sacrificial giving, repentance, humility, unquestioning submission, inviting someone to church, committing to serve, seeking employment, canceling a subscription, daily Bible reading, joining a prayer group, forgiving someone, and so forth. The correct response is to obey whatever He instructs you to do.

Again, simply hearing is insufficient! Only those who take action, who are doers, can walk in their purpose and destiny without constraints or limitations.

Your destiny is in your hands.

Faith-Filled Confession

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I give you my attention. I hear and do your bidding for my life today. I refuse to be an unwilling vessel because I know and understand what is required of me today. Hallelujah!

Prayer Points

Pray for executors of divine assignments in your city. 

1. Pray for their safety and the safety of their immediate family. 

2. Pray for increased sensitivity to the leading of God.

3. Pray against mishandling of resources and situations that are designed to cause growth and accomplishment of stated assignments and instruction from God.

Pray for our ministry goals and plans for this quarter.

1. Serve Team Training: The vision of GHC will be reborn in us, and clarity of purpose will be achieved in the hearts of everyone.

2. Pray concerning the "Reboot" Easter Program. Pray and declare Genesis 26:22.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Numbers 8-10; Mark 5:1-20