Tonight, Mike Harder spoke from 1 Samuel 3 about how to hear the voice of God. I often forget that Samuel was a young boy when he had his first real encounter with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. At first, he thought it was Eli calling him, but eventually Eli recognized that it was in fact God calling Samuel’s name.

Eli instructed Samuel to go back to his room and to wait for God to speak. Then he was to answer, “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

To be able to hear God’s voice, you must be near to God. It’s not a nearness of proximity and distance, for God is omnipresent and omniscient. It’s about a drawing near that happens when you silence your thoughts and prepare your heart to receive the words of God.

I wonder if we don’t hear God’s voice more often because we don’t stay long enough in God’s presence. We’re too much in a hurry to make time and space for God. We want to fit God in among our other activities and priorities, squeezing Him in if there’s room enough in our schedule.

But the question remains: “How badly do you and I want to hear from God?” How much do you need to listen to His voice? Is your desire for God greater than your desire for sleep? Is it more than your desire to watch Netflix? Is it enough for you to eliminate some events from your calendar and to learn to say no to certain people and plans, even good ones, in order to create margin and space in your day to hear from God?

I think when you seek God not in a half-hearted haphazard way but with a whole-heartedness and an intentionality, you will hear Him. When you are committed as Jacob was to wrestle with God and not let go until He speaks, then you will recognize His voice.

Speak, Lord, for Your servants are listening.