Do you feel that hearing the voice of God is only for other people and not for you? Is it just for persons who lived during the Biblical age? No, the God who loves you enough to die for you loves you enough to speak with you. And, no matter where you are in your spiritual journey, God will find a way to communicate with you in a way that you will recognize.
My Sister Irene used to think that in order to hear God’s voice, you had to be a pastor or prophet. The truth is that God talks to everyone, including non-believers.
For example:
In Numbers 22, God speaks through a donkey to a pagan prophet. In Genesis 41, God speaks to pharaoh in a dream, and in Daniel 5 God speaks through writing on the wall to Belshazzar. These are just some of the examples in scripture of God speaking to the world. But what about those who have accepted Jesus into their life?
However, it is vital for our spiritual growth to hear what God is saying.
9 Things We Can Learn about Hearing God’s Voice from When God Calls Samuel
Although few individuals could hear God’s voice, this young man was about to witness something that few people in Israel had seen or heard in a long time: Samuel was about to hear from the LORD.
Samuel was the son of Hannah, who longed for a son and prayed to the Lord for one. Hannah received a darling newborn boy as a result of the Lord’s affirmative response. Hannah was so grateful that she dedicated Samuel to God for a lifetime of service. So Samuel went to live with a priest named Eli in order to learn from him. One of the most important lessons Eli taught Samuel was how to listen when God calls.
As we consider Samuel’s experience, here are nine steps that will help you to hear God’s voice:
Find a place where you can serve God on a regular basis.
1 Sam.3.1 – Meanwhile, the boy Samuel was serving the LORD by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the LORD were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.
“Samuel was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli,” says v.1 (ESV). You must be serving God, if you want to hear God’s voice. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear God’s voice if you aren’t serving.
Pay attention to God’s voice.
1 Sam.3.2 – One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had just gone to bed.
Eli was too absorbed with his own pursuits to hear God because he was “laying down in his normal spot” (v.2 NIV). He was not paying attention when God began to speak. We must often slow down and take time to draw close to God in order to hear what God is saying. We must set aside our personal interests and lean in to hear what God has to say.
Get in closer to God.
1 Sam.3.3 – The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God.
Samuel put up his bed in the temple Where the ark of God was. Samuel had never heard God speak before and had no idea what to expect, but he did know that if he stayed near the temple long enough, God would appear. Are you putting yourself in a location where God is through personal devotions and regular church attendance?
Learn to recognizing God’s voice.
1 Sam.3.4 – Suddenly, the LORD called out, “Samuel! Samuel!Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” v5 – He jumped up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. What do you need?I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go on back to bed.” So he did.
At first, Samuel didn’t realize God’s voice was indeed God’s voice. He had no choice but to learn it. Learning what is and isn’t God’s voice takes time. You have the ability to hear from God when you are born again, but you must learn how to recognize a clear message. This can take a long time and a lot of practice. At initially, we might even misunderstand a few things.
God is patient with Us.
1 Sam.3.8 – So now the LORD called a third time, and once more Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. “Here I am,” he said. “What do you need?” Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy.
Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice straight away, but God continued to call him until he did. God will give us opportunities to hear from Him again and again. We shall finally learn the voice of our Good Shepherd, just as a sheep learns the voice of its shepherd. God will keep knocking and calling until we answer.
But, in order to value that voice, we must make time in our hectic schedules to listen to it. We must also stay quiet and remove ourselves from the world’s noise and distractions.
Other people’s advise can help us discern God’s voice
1 Sam.3.9 – So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, `Yes, LORD, your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went back to bed.
Samuel had never heard God’s voice before, so Eli assisted him in recognizing what was going on. Other individuals can sometimes assist us in determining whether or not anything is God’s voice. God talks to us in a variety of ways.
He mostly speaks to us through the Bible and the Holy Spirit. But He also talks to us through our situations, other people’s advice, a deep peace within our hearts, other individuals willing to share something with us, dreams and visions, our thoughts, nature, and even miracles.
Obey and listen
1 Sam.3.10 – And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Yes, your servant is listening.”
When God communicates to us, we first listen, and then we obey what He says. When we are obedient, God will recognize us as a trustworthy servant and will speak to us again. A disciple yearns to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” To get there, you must first have an open heart that is eager to listen.
Obey and follow God’s instructions when He speaks.
Samuel continuously obeyed the Lord from the beginning of this passage to the end of his life. Samuel followed God’s instructions no matter what. “The LORD was with him from that time on, and none of his words fell to the ground” (1 Samuel 3:19 ESV). Disobedience is the quickest way for us to silence God’s voice.
Spend time reading God’s Word.
“The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there He showed Himself to Samuel by His Word,” the Bible says after God talked to him in this passage (1 Samuel 3:21 NIV).
You must know what the Bible teaches if you want to hear from God.
God is expressing himself. He wants to give you wisdom in order for you to lead your family, your job, your church, and your life in general. The issue we must ask ourselves is not whether or not God is saying, but whether or not we are listening.
CONCLUSION
Jesus yearns to speak with us. He no longer relates to us as servants. He refers to us as friends and His beloved. So sit quietly and listen for divine guidance and discernment. When you hear His voice, simply respond, “Speak, Lord, your child is listening.”
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