Listening to or Hearing God

The Lord came and stood there,

calling as at the other times,

“Samuel! Samuel!”

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)

Sometimes we hear words in our ears, hearts, or minds and dismiss them. Other times, we hear a thought in a sermon and decide it is meant for someone else.

We hear rain falling. We hear our children crying or are rejoicing but these are two different levels of hearing. We must intently listen to our loved ones as they speak of their sadness or happiness. They sometimes give us instruction that we need to heed.

In the Bible, Samuel hears a voice calling him. He runs to Eli and asks what Eli wanted with him. After the third time of this, Eli realizes that the Lord is calling Samuel. He tells Samuel to tell God, “Speak, I am listening”.

Do we truly listen to the Lord when He speaks to us? I know I could do better in listening to God and to His other children.