For the hard of hearing

The Lord called Samuel a third time; he got up, went to Eli, and said, ‘You called me, and here I am.’ Then Eli realised that it was the LORD who was calling the boy, so he said to him, ‘Go back to bed; and if he calls you again, say, “Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.” So Samuel went back to bed. The LORD came and stood there, and called as he had before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ (verses 8-10)

Read 1 Samuel 3:1–21

I often find it more difficult to listen to a sermon than to preach one. It takes many things to be attentive to the living voice of God. Two things that are crucial for being attentive to the voice of the Lord are environment and attitude.

Samuel was still. God spoke his living word to Samuel when Samuel was resting. He was lying in bed in the still of night when he was enabled to hear God speaking his word to him. Could it be that God is prompting us to rest, especially in the worship service on Sunday?

The other thing needed is an attitude of openness to God’s word. That’s not always easy, because we tend to gravitate towards our own voices. Could it be that the Lord is encouraging us to seek his voice with complete openness and trust, even in the words of a human pastor in a pulpit?

Thank the Lord that he is so patient and persistent in trying to get through to us and that he promises to speak despite our inattentiveness!

Heavenly Father, speak your living word to me today. Give me a restful spirit and an open heart to hear what you say. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

by Adrian Kitson, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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