Speak, for Your Servant Hears

Daily Reading: 1 Samuel 3

Scripture Focus: 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..." (1 Samuel 3.10-11)

Devotional Thought: In our post-pastoral life, my wife Lana and I have developed a routine of working at home. Her work desk is in our bedroom at the back of the house. I study and write in the office at the front of our house. I have found that when Lana comes to talk to me, I am usually quite distracted by what is on my computer screen. So, I have developed a habit of pushing back from my desk and getting up out of my chair to disengage from my work. Otherwise, there's no way I can focus on what she is saying. (As you can imagine, that has gotten me into trouble a time or two!) When I stand up, that is an indication for her to go ahead and speak, for I am ready to hear.

When Samuel was a boy, in the service of God's house at Shiloh, God came to speak to him. At first he didn't give God attention, instead going to his Eli. Finally, through the gentle instruction of Eli, Samuel realized God was calling him. The next time that God spoke, Samuel responded, "Speak, for your servant hears."

Some "takeaways" from Samuel's encounter with God...

· We need to stay engaged in God's work: "The boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord..."

· The Lord initiates conversations with us, and he does so repeatedly.

· At times, God has a specific and individual message for us, calling us by name!

· When God speaks, we must stop and purposefully listen.

· God reveals to us his plans. It's up to us to respond to his call.

Is the "word of the Lord rare" in your life? Do you need a fresh vision from God? Tell him, "Speak, for your servant hears."

Prayer: Lord, I need a fresh word from you, but I know that my life is full of demands and distractions. So, I put all of them aside right now and say, "Speak, for your servant hears."

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 76.1-7

1 In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. 2 His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. 3 There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah

4 Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains full of prey. 5 The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep; all the men of war were unable to use their hands. 6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned.

7 But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused?