01/30/2025
This morning I ask you to join me in contemplating those times when God has spoken to you. It may have been in a feeling you couldn't shake, a dream, in a voice only you could hear, by signs, or maybe in a vision. Is there a time when you realized that you were engaged in conversation with the Lord, in a "God Moment?" This happened throughout the Bible, and it continues to happen today. What is interesting is how God's voice is accepted and used. Let's look at one such instance in particular; How God spoke to Samuel.
“And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.”
1 Samuel 3:2-4 KJV
Samuel wasn't expecting God to speak to him. As a matter of fact, when God spoke, Samuel thought Eli was calling him.
“And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.”
1 Samuel 3:5 KJV
This occurred three times before, on the fourth, Samuel realized who was calling to him... and God gave him bad news regarding Israel and the family of Eli.
“And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.”
1 Samuel 3:10-12 KJV
It is hard to tell people that God has spoken to you, even to those who are of the faith, but bad news is even harder to deliver, and so... Samuel was reluctant to tell Eli what God had confided in Him. However Eli knew, from Samuel's behavior, that God had spoken and he prompted Samuel to tell him every detail.
“And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide anything from me of all the things that he said unto thee.”
1 Samuel 3:15-17 KJV
This same reluctance to deliver reprimands, or bad news, remains in those of faith today and is the reason why so many say that there are no prophets in the modern day church. When God speaks it is rationalized away, or in many cases ignored as being the product of an overactive imagination. We have so removed ourselves from the direct interaction with God that He would have to hit us with a club before we would pay attention to Him. We need more Elis to say "What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee?"
Several years ago my wife's uncle had served communion on Sunday morning. He had recently been replaced as the Senior Pastor by a younger man and was now the Pastor Emeritus of our church. His sister, my mother in law, was suffering from dementia and I had been bringing her to church every Sunday. So at the conclusion of the communion service I walked her through the foyer outside the sanctuary and let her greet her brother as we passed him.
She was so excited to speak with him, it was an incredibly special moment and I reached out my hand and lovingly placed it upon the Pastor's shoulder. When I did it felt like electricity ran up my arm and I heard the words "This is the last time." I quickly pulled my hand back and then in disbelief I reached forward again... the voice said again, "This is the last time!" No one heard but me.
What did this mean and why had this happened to me. It frightened me; I was afraid that the word was for our aging Pastor and that something dire was going to happen. So, like Samuel I didn't want to tell him, or his family. I was afraid.
When God speaks to us it isn't just to bring us into His inner circle... He has a purpose in mind. Has God spoken to you in a dream or by some sign and yet you did nothing with it? Did your fear of being embarrassed or hurting someone prevent you from revealing what you had been told? Were you waiting, like Samuel, for Eli to tell you what to do?
Well, in my case I told my wife, the family of my pastor emeritus, my closest spiritual mentor, and my Senior Pastor. None knew the answer, but in time I knew it... that morning was the last time that my mother-in-law took communion in our church. She was moved into a nursing home the next week and attended services in that place from that day forward. God's voice to me came as an affirmation of His calling, and a sign for others to see.
Don't deafen yourself to the voice of God, listen for His shout, or His whisper; feel His gentle touch, or the violent shove... hear Him each time He speaks, and in all of its forms. Then move on what He says. Trust in Him and His purpose.
There will be many times when a dream will be nothing more than a slice of pizza eaten too late in the evening, or a happenstance that appeared to be prophetic, but if you pray and ask "Is that you Lord?" He will answer and let you know.
Another interesting thing about the story of Samuel is that God didn't tell him what to do with the information he had been given. That was left open for him to decide; but, as it so happened, Eli asked him to reveal the vision. What we do with a vision or some other word from God requires further prayer and interpretation... then, we must exhibit faith and courage in delivering the message.
So I ask you again if the Lord has ever spoken to you. As you look back on your dreams, or perhaps a sign that you received, did you convince yourself that it was just a restless stomach at bedtime, or your imagination playing tricks on you? How do you feel about it today? Well pray about this thing and ask God to reveal it to you again if it was truly His voice. Sometimes we have to be spoken to a few times before we finally realize that it is God calling our name.
So, what, if anything, will God give to you in the future, and how will you use it in conjunction with His will? When He speaks will you recognize His voice? Will you respond “Here am I!”?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for speaking to those of old in so many ways, and thank you for continuing to speak to us today. Father, let us hear your voice when you speak and give us the wisdom and knowledge to know how you would have us use your revelation. Guide us Lord in understanding those subtle, and often not so subtle, messages you would have us hear, and then show us your will in them. Holy Father, I know that all men are not pastors, nor deacons, teachers, or prophets, but if your word comes... let us hear the message you have for us... let us answer as Samuel did when he said "Speak; for thy servant heareth." Then use us as the bearer of your Word in obedient service to your good will. Teach us to listen, and to recognize the sound of your voice, then to obey your will by obediently revealing your message... teach us to obey your desires. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who speaks to us in various ways during our days and gives us dreams in our nights. Holy are you who desires to not only converse with your children, but who gives us messages and uses us as emissaries of your Word and will. Use me personally as you will Father, and help me to remain attentive and listening for your voice. You reach out to me in gentle whispers, visions, dreams, and sometimes in a loud voice, so help me to stay attuned to the many ways you speak. Help me to recognize you, and to ask what you would have me do with the messages you give me. Am I to sit quietly and watch a thing unfold, letting it increase me in faith, or blow the shofar in warning to someone, or the Church? Whatever your will is when you speak make me aware of it and guide me in my obedience to your desire. Be merciful Father and let your grace be upon those to whom you speak, and upon those to whom your instructions pertain. Great are you whose glory comes boldly in your Word, your voice, and those things you show our eyes. Each time you speak give us the courage and humble nature of obedience we need to glorify you in whatever you deliver to us. Give us the joy, the sorrow, or the desire to rend our clothes depending on the messages we receive from you, but always give us the understanding and confidence in the fact that all things work together for good to those who love you… and to those you love. You didn’t let Jesus remain on the cross, nor in the tomb, and you don’t keep your children suffering or in the grave either. We suffer for but a little while, and will rise with Christ to stand before you… keep this in the forefronts of our minds and hearts as we are given hard things, and let it multiply our joy in the glorious messages we are also given to deliver. Father we praise your name and give you all the glory for every directive we receive from you… the good, the hard, the bad or the merciful… they are all of you and will bless us in some way. In hearing your voice we tremble in anticipation and our spirit sings out Hallelujah while all men say… Amen.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7 ESV
“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
John 8:47 ESV
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:10-11 ESV
Rich Forbes