Did You Call?

One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the LORD called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. [1 Samuel 3.2-5]

I see two things here today.

First, sometimes God calls out to us and we do not recognize His voice.

Second, we need spiritual mentors in our lives who are capable helping us know when God is speaking to us!

The fact that Eli was doing a pathetic job as a priest did not prevent him from eventually understanding that God was speaking to Samuel. As the story would unfold, Eli understood it was indeed God speaking to Samuel and therefore rightly instructed Samuel how to respond to God.

As important as it is to hear and understand the voice of God for ourselves, it is equally important to be able to help others hear and understand His voice.

Father, help us all to understand the necessity of hearing Your voice when You speak to us. But help us also to understand the important of helping others recognize when God speaks to them!