Hearing From Heaven: Listening for the Lord in Daily LifeSample

“Speak, Lord, for Your Servant Is Listening.”

God has always spoken clearly to His people. Through priests and prophets, He revealed truths which were life-giving to those who loved and depended on Him. And He still loves speaking to His people! But if we are unable to see and hear, our lives as followers of Christ will become almost impossible.

Can you imagine the word of God being rare? Going days, maybe years, without hearing from God? It sounds horribly hopeless. But that’s just what happened in 1 Samuel. While the Lord’s people longed to hear His voice, He chose to reveal Himself to a young man.

Young Samuel did not yet know the voice of God. So when he heard the call, Samuel responded in the only way he knew how: he ran to his human mentor! But through the wisdom of Eli, Samuel began to understand who the voice belonged to and what it sounded like.

The voice of God can be known. We simply have to know what to listen for! 

I read this story as a young boy at the Compassion International program I attended, and I was deeply encouraged. Living in extreme poverty, I always wanted God to reveal Himself to me in this big and bold way. But what would I do if He truly revealed Himself to me? What would He ask of me?

Learn to listen to the Voice of Truth instead of doubt, hopelessness or despair. Train your ear to hear His good news! The Lord gave His Word to us in the form of a book--read His truth, made just for you, in the Bible. Find a mentor who knows the Lord’s voice and study with them. Join a group of believers who know and love the Lord and can uplift you in your search for the Lord’s voice.

Eli taught Samuel how he should respond to the voice of the Lord: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” What a beautiful response. We should respond similarly every time we hear Him speak.

The Lord wants to reveal Himself to His people. He wants to guide us and lead us. Do you know God’s voice? Are you seeking guidance for next steps in your life, business, education, family or ministry? If that’s your prayer, pray with me, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”