“And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.”
(1 Samuel 3:10–11, NLT)
(1 Samuel 3:10–11, NLT)
“I can’t believe this is happening!” I’ve heard those words a thousand times, usually uttered when an event changed history. People said those words when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. They said it on September 11th, 2001 when planes flown by terrorists destroyed the Twin Towers in New York and a part of the Pentagon in Washington, DC. The words were uttered by Israeli citizens during the SCUD missile attacks of the Gulf War. German citizens had the same response to the destruction of the Berlin Wall in November of 1989. Polish citizens uttered their shock openly when Germany attacked them in 1939. Throughout history, from all over the world and in many different languages, these words were uttered. Sometimes, they were said in excitement. At other times, they were spoken with fear or disgust. Though the life-altering events of the past and present have changed history, God knew the events were coming. In some of these events, God’s wrath was kindled. At other events, God was pleased to see the faithful response of those who brought God’s plan to fruition.
In your own life, you may have life-altering days as well. During those moments, you also might be surprised at the swiftness, at the turn of events, or at the changes taking place. Your own voice might utter the phrase of surprise such as “This can’t be happening!” Death can come quickly. Health emergencies can change your future in an instant. A car crash may upend your world. Winning a lottery may change your financial fortunes. Life can change in the blink of an eye and in shocking or amazing ways. Behind all the upheaval of the moment is God, who knew it was coming. Since God knows all, God may have been preparing you. You might have sensed something imminent. On the other hand, you might have missed all the signs. Still, God is constantly working, preparing, altering history, creating opportunities, bringing vengeance upon a sinful people, or blessing the righteous. God may bring you a message and a plan during those times of upheaval, but will you listen and respond to God’s direction in that crucial moment?
The scripture for today contains God’s call to Samuel during a time of upheaval in the history of Israel. When Samuel was young, Eli mentored him (1 Samuel 3:1). Eli was a prophet of God. Eli taught Samuel to learn God’s word and to respond to God’s command (1 Samuel 3:8-9). In the scripture for today, Samuel was contacted by the Lord God. God was about to do “a shocking thing in Israel” (1 Samuel 3:11). Before the event, God wanted to tell young Samuel about the plan. In the future, God expected Samuel to be a great prophet. Samuel went on to lead Israel as its main prophet for many years. He anointed both Saul and David to Kingship. He had an important role in the history of Israel. However, long before Saul or David were enthroned, God visited Samuel. God called Samuel’s name. Samuel immediately responded to God, saying “Speak! Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). Then, God told Samuel of important events concerning Eli that were to shake up the spiritual leadership of the entire house of Israel.
Before the shocking turn of events that were to happen in Israel, God informed Samuel about what was to come. God was laying plans for the future of the Israel and wanted Samuel to be involved. God wanted to prepare Samuel and Eli for the future. Consequently, God came by and spoke to Samuel, delivering a prophecy of great importance. God wanted Samuel to know what was planned.
Did you notice how Samuel was actively listening and ready to respond to the Lord during these events? When God called, Samuel didn’t hide away. He was open to God, “listening” for God’s voice (1 Samuel 3:10). Samuel was attentive to God’s direction. Later, Samuel delivered God’s message to Eli, then Saul, then other leaders in Israel as directed by the will of the Lord (1 Samuel 4:1).
Don’t be surprised if God sends you a warning before important events in your life or world. When you are close to God as was Samuel, God may want you to know things that are planned. You may have a sense of what is coming. While praying, you may discern what God wills. During some of these times, God may have you deliver a message to others. God may use you to influence others. God will want you to listen and respond. Samuel responded quickly when God called him. Will you listen and respond?
After a particularly long day of ministry, I went for a walk in the late evening. I needed fresh air and time to think. My ministerial plate was overflowing. I had led four worship services, two funerals, and responded to several emergencies in the previous two weeks. Sixty-hour work weeks were eating away at my calm. Problems with a member in the church were causing hours of extra toil. My wife sensed my stress. My children wanted more of my time. In this frenzied period, I became more attuned to God. Instead of hurrying through my day, I spent extra moments whenever possible in prayer and talking with God. During that walk in the dark that evening, I felt God speaking to me. I felt something was afoot. Listening for God’s direction, I felt compelled to respond. Due to that prayer time, I headed out the next morning to visit a man in the congregation whom I felt was in need. We spent more than an hour talking. We prayed together. Four hours after I visited that man, he was dead. His death came swift and was entirely unexpected. In the hours after his death, I then understood more fully why God had reached out to me the evening before. The man needed to make some things right before he died. In retrospect, I was very thankful that I responded to God during my walk. I’m sure glad I heeded God’s voice. I felt blessed to have visited that man during the last hours of his life, bringing God’s message with me.
You never know when God might speak to you about upcoming shocking events that will shake your world. Some day soon, God will need you to be listening. Every child of God will have the opportunity to hear God’s voice or feel God’s guiding hand. The problem is that too many aren’t listening like Samuel. Too many don’t respond to God’s call. I hope you are different. I hope that no matter how hectic your life may get, that you may always have your ear attentive to God’s call. You can rest assured that God will call upon you in life. God will speak to you in various ways. God will desire your response. Don’t hesitate when God calls!
In your own life, you may have life-altering days as well. During those moments, you also might be surprised at the swiftness, at the turn of events, or at the changes taking place. Your own voice might utter the phrase of surprise such as “This can’t be happening!” Death can come quickly. Health emergencies can change your future in an instant. A car crash may upend your world. Winning a lottery may change your financial fortunes. Life can change in the blink of an eye and in shocking or amazing ways. Behind all the upheaval of the moment is God, who knew it was coming. Since God knows all, God may have been preparing you. You might have sensed something imminent. On the other hand, you might have missed all the signs. Still, God is constantly working, preparing, altering history, creating opportunities, bringing vengeance upon a sinful people, or blessing the righteous. God may bring you a message and a plan during those times of upheaval, but will you listen and respond to God’s direction in that crucial moment?
The scripture for today contains God’s call to Samuel during a time of upheaval in the history of Israel. When Samuel was young, Eli mentored him (1 Samuel 3:1). Eli was a prophet of God. Eli taught Samuel to learn God’s word and to respond to God’s command (1 Samuel 3:8-9). In the scripture for today, Samuel was contacted by the Lord God. God was about to do “a shocking thing in Israel” (1 Samuel 3:11). Before the event, God wanted to tell young Samuel about the plan. In the future, God expected Samuel to be a great prophet. Samuel went on to lead Israel as its main prophet for many years. He anointed both Saul and David to Kingship. He had an important role in the history of Israel. However, long before Saul or David were enthroned, God visited Samuel. God called Samuel’s name. Samuel immediately responded to God, saying “Speak! Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). Then, God told Samuel of important events concerning Eli that were to shake up the spiritual leadership of the entire house of Israel.
Before the shocking turn of events that were to happen in Israel, God informed Samuel about what was to come. God was laying plans for the future of the Israel and wanted Samuel to be involved. God wanted to prepare Samuel and Eli for the future. Consequently, God came by and spoke to Samuel, delivering a prophecy of great importance. God wanted Samuel to know what was planned.
Did you notice how Samuel was actively listening and ready to respond to the Lord during these events? When God called, Samuel didn’t hide away. He was open to God, “listening” for God’s voice (1 Samuel 3:10). Samuel was attentive to God’s direction. Later, Samuel delivered God’s message to Eli, then Saul, then other leaders in Israel as directed by the will of the Lord (1 Samuel 4:1).
Don’t be surprised if God sends you a warning before important events in your life or world. When you are close to God as was Samuel, God may want you to know things that are planned. You may have a sense of what is coming. While praying, you may discern what God wills. During some of these times, God may have you deliver a message to others. God may use you to influence others. God will want you to listen and respond. Samuel responded quickly when God called him. Will you listen and respond?
After a particularly long day of ministry, I went for a walk in the late evening. I needed fresh air and time to think. My ministerial plate was overflowing. I had led four worship services, two funerals, and responded to several emergencies in the previous two weeks. Sixty-hour work weeks were eating away at my calm. Problems with a member in the church were causing hours of extra toil. My wife sensed my stress. My children wanted more of my time. In this frenzied period, I became more attuned to God. Instead of hurrying through my day, I spent extra moments whenever possible in prayer and talking with God. During that walk in the dark that evening, I felt God speaking to me. I felt something was afoot. Listening for God’s direction, I felt compelled to respond. Due to that prayer time, I headed out the next morning to visit a man in the congregation whom I felt was in need. We spent more than an hour talking. We prayed together. Four hours after I visited that man, he was dead. His death came swift and was entirely unexpected. In the hours after his death, I then understood more fully why God had reached out to me the evening before. The man needed to make some things right before he died. In retrospect, I was very thankful that I responded to God during my walk. I’m sure glad I heeded God’s voice. I felt blessed to have visited that man during the last hours of his life, bringing God’s message with me.
You never know when God might speak to you about upcoming shocking events that will shake your world. Some day soon, God will need you to be listening. Every child of God will have the opportunity to hear God’s voice or feel God’s guiding hand. The problem is that too many aren’t listening like Samuel. Too many don’t respond to God’s call. I hope you are different. I hope that no matter how hectic your life may get, that you may always have your ear attentive to God’s call. You can rest assured that God will call upon you in life. God will speak to you in various ways. God will desire your response. Don’t hesitate when God calls!