Listening to God's Voice

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 LISTENING TO GOD’S VOICE

1 Samuel 3:1-20

10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 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. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.

19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

An old man from London, England visited his doctor to have his hearing aid checked. The doctor removed the man’s hearing aid, and the patient’s hearing improved! The problem was he had been wearing the device in the wrong ear for over twenty years!

When was the last time you heard God’s voice?

Without a doubt, you have heard people say this: God has spoken to me, and He told me that I must do such and such things. God has spoken to me, and He told me to tell you that our church needs to go this direction. It is everywhere and it is out there in the evangelical world the notion that God speaks to people in small voices, maybe audible voices, dreams, visions, hunches, all these things; and you hear this often.

Christians are also saying they have heard God’s voice. You can hear stories like, the Lord spoke to them audibly during their trials and challenges in life, sometimes God will speak to them which house to buy or what career to choose. Weird part is God speak to them which restaurant to go for lunch.

But some will say I never heard God’s voice in my life. Then you ask yourself, how come I have not heard any voice from the Lord in that way? Could it be I don’t have the right relationship with God? Or I am not that special? I do believe God’s speak to us every day through the scriptures and through the leading of the Holy spirit, we will be able to receive wisdom and knowledge from His word. And we must be very careful in how we listen or ways of hearing voices. Let us look at ways God speak to His people in the Old Testament.

God spoke in the Old Testament through:

a. Prophets (many times and various ways)

b. Angels (Genesis 16)

c. Visions (Genesis 15)

d. Dreams (Genesis 28:10-19)

e. Miraculous signs (Exodus 8:20-25)

f. Symbolic actions (Jeremiah 18:1-10)

How does God speak to us today? Let’s look at Hebrews chapter 1.

Hebrews 1:1-2:

“God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things through whom also He created the world.”

“But in these last days” He has spoken to us in His Son, Jesus is the final speaking of God in the scriptures. Everything that God has to say He has said to us in His Son Jesus Christ, and it is perfect, inerrant, infallible, all-sufficient record of that in His word. There is no new revelation that God will add to what the Bible is saying. Now I don’t want you to misunderstand me. I don’t want you to think that God doesn’t speak to us anymore today.” Yes, He does. God speaks to us right here right now. This is how God speaks to us. Now let’s listen to His word.

Let’s start with the calling of God of a new prophet, Samuel. How can we listen to God’s voice through His word.

The book that we are studying today is the continuation of last week of 1 Samuel. This is the third series of the study from the book of 1 Samuel.

There are two things we can see happenings in this chapter:

First, God rewards faithfulness and second God’s judgement. The faithfulness of Samuel and the wickedness of Eli’s sons. The contrast between the two. At that time God was not speaking to his people. The spiritual leaders were corrupt, and God’s people were not obeying His law anyway, so why should God say anything new to them right? It was a tragic day in the nation of Israel when the living God no longer sent His people signs and prophetic messages. The silence of God is the judgement of God in that time. But God is about to change the situation and speak His precious Word to a young boy who would listen and obey.

1. An Attentive Ear

v.1-9 “Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord and in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days: there was no frequent vision. 2. At that time Eli whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see was lying down on his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!”

5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 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. 9 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.”

Samuel is about 12-15 years old when the Lord spoke to him one night while he was laying in the tabernacle “Annex” where Eli was also sleeping. The priest responsibility is to make sure the “lamp of God” is well lit and always burning (a seven-branched golden candle stick light) it’s the symbol of God’s truth given to the world through the people of Israel. Eli is the priest and no longer able to see because of old age. Samuel’s primary responsibility is to make sure it is well lit. One night Samuel heard a voice 3 times and for the 3rd times, Eli said I did not ask of you and Eli knew that the Lord is calling Samuel, So Eli said -lie down and if he calls you again, you say “speak Lord for your servant hears”.

Here is a very good example of an attentive ear and a mark of a faithful servant. We see here how Samuel responded and ready to do what was asked of him.

God has been calling His people to fulfill our purpose in this life. The problem is we are hearing so many voices or maybe we are so distracted of this world’s noise to the point we can’t hear God’s voice. Here are the hindrances why we are having a difficulty listening or having an attentive ear, the busyness of life (including ministry), the uncertainty of life, the fear of life, challenges of life or happiness of life. So how can we have an attentive ear? We must devote time and effort to cultivate a love relationship with Jesus.

How do we do that? Pray, read, study, and obey His word. Praying “Matthew 6 “The Lord’s prayer” “Our Father who art in heaven” What is Jesus telling the disciples? It’s declaring God’s sovereignty and holiness, and our own sanctification. To acknowledge God that he is our Lord and Savior and for us to be effective and worthy of our calling and purpose. Joshua 1:8 said, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.”

The moment we disciplined ourself, all that we have learned and read in the Bible will come alive and we will remember God’s word when trials come and when we need directions in life.

2. An Obedient Will

 V.10-14 “And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 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. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

Here Samuel obeyed Eli went back to his sleeping place and waited for the voice to come again. This time God spoke the boy’s name twice, not only that, but the Lord also came and stood near Samuel as He spoke to him. This experience is not a dream of a vision but a manifestation of the presence of the Lord. Samuel response was “Speak, for your servant is listening” and the Lord let out the word”, you can see his interest and will to obey. Why Samuel? Samuel did not yet have a personal knowledge of the Lord, so how could he know the voice of the Lord. The Lord saw that Samuel continue to grow and received a favor from the Lord. Some commentators are also saying even Samuel is careful not to accept it as the voice of Jehovah when he had no way to be sure. Remember that Samuel has been serving the Lord faithfully despite of not knowing yet God personally, but because of his obedient to God and Eli, he heard the message from the Lord and learned what God planned to do.

The message is heavy for a young boy, but God probably is rebuking the spiritual unresponsive of the adults. When God can not find an obedient adult, He sometimes calls a child or young person. So, I am thankful to the Lord for all our young people here who is now currently serving God in this church. Like Samuel the Lord will abundantly bless your life for your obedience.

What about Eli and his two sons? Before Samuel received the message from God there was unknown prophet who deliver the message to Eli on chapter 2:27-31. So, the message he received confirmed that the Lord will judge the house of Eli because his two sons morally bad and wicked and Eli did nothing to restrain them though Eli and sons are priests. They defiled themselves and their priesthood. And it’s been happening for a long time, but they have not repented and turned from their sins. And now it is too late. Their sins were deliberate and defiant and for such sins there is no forgiveness forever. All of us will some-day be judge not because of our sins, we will be judge according to what we have done on earth as a believer. 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done whether good or bad.”

3. A Humble Heart

 V.15-18 “Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”

Samuel heard the voice of God and received the message of God. Notice he did go back and lay down on his bed and wake up early morning to do his responsibilities. He opened the doors of the sanctuary so the people can come in to sacrifice and he said nothing to Eli about what God told him. This is uncommon, showing maturity on the part of a young boy. Mostly youth or even adult would have been proud of their experience with the Lord will rush around to deliver the message. He could have woken Eli in the middle of the night and started bragging that God spoke to me and you are in trouble, and I will be the next Prophet. You can see the humbleness of Samuel not conveying yet the message of God to Eli.

Until, It was Eli commanded him to relate the message of God had given him. Eli took it without reluctant and resigned to the sovereignty of God. Eli was an old man who had not been a good father, or a faithful priest and he had already been warned that judgement is coming. Eli reaction was to submit and resign because he knew it is not going to changed. “It is the Lord let Him do what seems good to Him” Despite of that Eli has a positive attitude to-ward the young Samuel, his successor as the spiritual leader in Israel. It is seldom for a veteran servant who can graciously give up his tools and let the young apprentice take over. Be humble as you received God’s word for encouragement or for rebuking, but do it with love.

4. A Godly walk

v.19-21 “And, Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed him-self to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.”

Having an attentive ear, obedient will, a humble heart and finally a Godly walk. At the young age he continues to walk and surrender his life to the Lord’s calling. When we walk with God maturity happens in our lives. God revealed himself to Samuel not on a physical appearance but through His words. For the second time it was mentioned that Samuel grew and the affirmation of v.19 “the Lord was with him”. You can see the blessings upon Samuel and his ministry through the coming years. Samuel’s influence and as a messenger would reach the entire nation. The people will recognize that God had called him to be a prophet and that will declare the word of God and the will of God. With Samuel Israel will experience a new beginning that would lead to new challenges and dangers as well as blessings and victories.

Brothers and Sisters, this is how we listen to the word of God, having an attentive ear, obedient heart, humility and continue to walk with the Lord. God has a plan and purpose in our life. We will not hear that message if we will continue to ignore God’s calling in our life. If we have a true and right relationship with Jesus, then you can hear and understand His word clearly through the guidance of Holy Spirit. When you do, you obey. Jesus said if you are His sheep, you will know His voice and he will call your name and will follow Him. John 10:3-4. This is not about God’s will for me to buy a new car, a new career, which house to buy which girlfriend or boyfriend to marry. John 10 is about salvation, it’s about His children that be-longs to Him.

Paul makes a beautiful statement to the Colossians. He says this in Colossians chapter 3. He says, “Let the word of Christ dwell richly within you. “The more the word of Christ, this Book, dwells richly within us, the more that our thinking, the more that our decision-making will just be naturally conformed into what God would have us to do. So let the word of Christ dwell richly within you. Read, study, and obey God’s Word, and you will be making a wise and God-honoring decisions in life.

Joshua 3:5:

“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

The Father know His children and when he calls you and you hear His words, obey, and prepare yourself. Why? Because God will do amazing things in your life that you yourself can-not comprehend. Amen.

-Rev. Roldan Manlapig