A voice in the night

Today’s devotional is going to come form 1 Samuel 3. To begin this story, first we need to know a little bit about Samuel. This young man was promised by his mama to be a part of God’s ministry from before his conception. He was taken to the temple and he served there from the time he was very young. There was never any doubt in his mind, or his mother’s that Samuel was destined for ministry. Let that sink in. Ministry minded just took on a whole new meaning. How effective would our children be in ministry if we committed their lives to God and His ministry before they were even conceived within our wombs?

            Now lets read from His word. 1 Samuel 3:1-10


Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.

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.

Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!”

Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

“I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”

Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”

Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.

And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”

And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”

First, we know that Samuel’s parents, specifically his mother committed him to the Lord before conception and in these verses we can see that Samuel’s mentor Eli realizes what Samuel is experiencing and directs him to respond plainly and submissively with the phrase “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” Samuel then immediately does what Eli instructed. He goes back to bed and when the Lord calls again Samuel is able to recognize His voice and is quick to respond that he is listening. Listening can be defined as “to take heed, pay attention” with one of its synonyms being to obey. Samuel never once questioned the purpose God had for him because all those who were important in his life had been directing him to Listen for and to heed the directions of God. He started out life knowing that he was destined and made to serve God and because of his willingness God chose him to be a voice for the Lord. Let’s begin to look out our children’s lives as anointed and predestined vessels for great and abundant ministry.

Father God, help us to begin envisioning our children in ministry. So much of who they are and who they become starts at home with the encouragement we give them. Help us to encourage them to focus on things eternal, help us to prepare them to hear your voice and to answer your call with a quick and obedient response Lord. Guide us as we guide them. In your precious name Father God, Amen.

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