Are You Listening?

15 Jan

Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'”
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 Sm 3:8b-10)

We often lament that there are many who do not know the ways of the Lord.  In today’s reading, we realize that was often the case throughout the ages.

After all, Samuel was with his teacher, Eli.  The scriptures tell us that revelations and visions from the Lord were infrequent and, therefore, people were unaccustomed to the voice of God.

Samuel heard God calling him in his sleep but assumed that it was Eli.  Three times he went to Eli, waking him up telling Eli that he had called him.

Finally, Eli realized that something deeply spiritual was happening, that God was speaking to the youth.  Therefore, he instructed Samuel to respond to the Lord appropriately:  “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

That is still the best thing that we can do today.

When we experience the Lord calling to us, we need to respond as well.

FAITH ACTION:  Ask the Lord to open your eyes, ears, and heart to Him so that, when He calls, you will be ready to respond.