1 Samuel 3:9-10 (NKJV)
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
There are so many voices, sound, instruments that are busily clamouring to get our attention in this modern era, that if we are not careful we will not hear the voice of God speaking to us. The days of Israel were sad because Eli the High Priest was an indulgent father who led to his sons practicing sinful living and no action was taken against them.
1 Samuel 2:12-16 12 Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord. 13. And the priests’ custom with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand while the meat was boiling. 14. Then he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; and the priest would take for himself all that the fleshhook brought up. So, they did in Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15. Also, before they burned the fat, the priest’s servant would come and say to the man who sacrificed, “Give meat for roasting to the priest, for he will not take boiled meat from you, but raw.”
16. And if the man said to him, “They should really burn the fat first; then you may take as much as your heart desires,” he would then answer him, “No, but you must give it now; and if not, I will take it by force.”
Samuel was given to Hannah and Elkanah who in return gave him back to God so that he could serve in the temple. This young man was properly schooled and trained from home and God was pleased with his ways. With Eli’s sons continuing to disobey God’s precepts their probation was fast closing and God used Samuel to inform Eli of their imminent danger. Sure enough Eli got the message and not long after God allowed judgment to come upon Eli and his household.
Today God is speaking to us but very few are listening because the majority are busy paying attention to other things. Family crisis, how to get rich, how to win the lottery, getting a career, getting married, and the list catapulted along. Too many things that are of lesser importance seem to be getting our attention and causing us to miss hearing God’s voice.
My friends pause awhile and listen God is speaking to you. Yes you, so don’t make the mistake Eli and his sons made. Please before you send the next text, or make the next call, or visit Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Twitter or any other activity do remember to Listen, God is speaking.