Are you listening?

Speak, for Your servant hears. — 1 Samuel 3:10

One of the happiest memories of my childhood is that of my mother reading Bible stories to me at bedtime. Many of them made a great impression on me, especially the incident in the life of Samuel described in 1 SAMUEL 3. I can still hear my mother reciting the young boy’s response to the call of God: "Speak, for Your servant hears" (v.10).

Like Samuel, we need to be willing to hear the voice of the Lord. We have this opportunity if in the midst of life’s everyday activities we take time to prayerfully read and study the Bible. You see, God’s Spirit communicates to us through the Word.

Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471) summed it up well when we wrote: "Blessed indeed are those ears which listen not for the voice sounding without, but for the truth teaching inwardly. Blessed are the eyes that are shut to outward things but intent on things inward. Blessed are they who are glad to have time to spare for God, and who shake off all worldly hindrances. Consider these things, O my soul, and hear what the Lord your God speaks."

How long has it been since you’ve asked the Lord to make your heart receptive to His Word? He wants to hear you say, "Speak, Lord, I’m listening."– Richard W. De Haan

By feeding on Your blessed Word, dear Lord,

I will no longer weak and childish be;

And as I listen to Your Spirit’s voice,

May Christlike love and grace be seen in me. – Hess

READ: SAMUEL 3:1-10

God speaks through His word to those who listen with their heart.