‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening….’ (devo reflection)

1 Samuel 3:8a A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
God doesn’t want automatons who blindly follow. He wants relationships with His children. I love in this chapter that God calls Samuel four different times. Samuel responds each time, but he doesn’t realize God is speaking. It isn’t until Samuel understands who is calling him that God responds beyond calling his name.
1 Samuel 3:8b-9 Then Eli realized 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 lay down in his place.
The God of the universe wanted to be sure He had Samuel’s attention before speaking. How amazing is that? And He does that with us, too. In a thousand little ways He calls to us, waiting for us to see Him, hear Him, spend time with Him, to listen to what He has to say.
1 Samuel 3:10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for allowing us to come to You in relationship. Thank You for loving us so much that You continue to call us to You. This world is so loud and so insistent, Lord. Help us to listen for Your voice and respond eagerly when You call. Draw us closer. Amen.
1 Samuel 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel….
Have a blessed day.