In what ways can we be attentive to God's call in our lives? Hearing the Call Amid Routine • 1 Samuel 3:5: “He ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ ‘I did not call,’ Eli replied. ‘Go back and lie down.’ So he went and lay down.” • Samuel was doing an ordinary task—sleeping near the lampstand—yet God spoke. • God often interrupts daily routines; stay spiritually alert even in the commonplace (Luke 5:1-3; Acts 16:13-15). Listening with a Teachable Heart • Samuel assumed the voice belonged to Eli, showing humility and willingness to serve. • James 1:19—“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” • Isaiah 50:4-5—The servant’s ears are “opened” morning by morning. Practical steps: - Approach Scripture expecting instruction. - Welcome counsel from mature believers as Samuel did with Eli. Positioning Ourselves to Recognize His Voice • Samuel “lay down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was” (1 Samuel 3:3). • Proximity to God’s presence matters: - Regular fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25). - Consistent time in the Word (Psalm 119:105). - Quiet, undistracted spaces (Psalm 46:10). Responding Promptly and Humbly • Each time Samuel heard the call, he ran—immediate obedience. • John 10:27—“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” • Luke 1:38—Mary: “May it be to me according to your word.” Cultivate: - Quick repentance when convicted. - Swift action on clear guidance. Cultivating Continual Attentiveness Daily habits that keep ears open: • Scripture saturation—let His words dwell richly (Colossians 3:16). • Prayerful listening—pause to hear, not just speak (1 Samuel 3:10, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening”). • Discernment through the Spirit—1 John 2:27 affirms His anointing teaches truth. • Surrendered will—Proverbs 3:5-6 promises clear paths to those who trust, not lean on their own understanding. Living alert like Samuel turns ordinary nights into divine appointments and positions us to answer, “Here I am,” whenever the Lord calls. |
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