“The Lord called Samuel, and he said, ‘Here I am!..’ And the Lord called again, ‘Samuel!’ and Samuel arose… Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
“And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
“And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant hears.’ Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle…’
“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
“And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.” 1 Samuel 3:4,6a,7-11,19-21,4:1a
The word of God issued forth to the young Samuel, addressing him personally and powerfully in a life call for this servant and his people Israel. The Lord established him as a prophet, and Samuel obediently established God’s word as the standard for truth about what was to be.
When God’s word comes to a willing heart, it has great effect. We receive it and heed its prescriptions with urgency and joy. The living word that comes to a ready believer and sets him afire will also go.
How and how regularly do we take in God’s word for ourselves? Do we listen as servants or debaters? Do we seek Him through the sound bites and interpretations of others, or directly from His word? Are we attuned to His voice, assured of His specific warnings, instructions, and encouragement for ourselves in present circumstances, then implementing them in obedience and faith? He will persist to reveal Himself as we willingly come, and His word will grip and use those intending to serve Him with it.
And once we’ve taken in His message, do we hide it to guard our hearts, hoard it in timidity, or speak it boldly as God compels? Among whom are we making a difference by living it out? Whom might we come alongside to help explain what it means? (1 Samuel 8:6-18; Psalm 119:11; Jeremiah 20:9; Acts 8:28-35; Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:7)
“Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of your tone.
As you have sought, so let me seek
Your erring children, lost and lone.
Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wand’ring and the wav’ring feet.
Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Your hungry ones with manna sweet.” ~Frances Havergal (1872)
Oh Lord, keep me listening to and heeding Your word that I might tell of Your truth, excellence, and power all my days and unto Your glory.
As the rain and snow 