Are You Listening

“while Samuel was lying down, that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, ‘Here I am!’ So he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ And he said, ‘I did not call; lie down again.’ And he went and lay down. Then the Lord called yet again, ‘Samuel!’ So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ He answered, ‘I did not call, my son; lie down again.’ (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you did call me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.’” – 1 Samuel 3:3-10

Can you identify with Samuel?  Perhaps not ever thinking that the Lord would call you? I mean who are we that God would even consider us useable for His purposes?

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?  For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” – Psalm 8:3-5

And yet, for reasons that only God knows, He called Samuel.  If you are a Christian then God has called you. It is God who initiates relationship with us. Our part is to say “Speak for your servant hears or is listening.” Do you remember the day that you heard the Lord’s voice and yielded your heart and life by faith? Just like Samuel. It is a miraculous moment – life changing – of eternal consequence. 

“God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,  but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” –  2 Timothy 1:8-11

Like Samuel and Paul, each of us has a holy calling from God. He appoints some to be preachers – pastors – teachers – or perhaps something not quite so out-front as that.  No matter what it is that you have been called to do in God’s economy – the thing to grasp is that it is spiritual and its successful accomplishment is totally dependent upon the Spirit of God and your obedience – not your effort. 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” – Romans 8:28-29

Being empowered by the Holy Spirit is called an anointing. I am certain that you have seen it in others before. It is more something that you sense with your spirit and not see with your eyes. Each of us is anointed to accomplish what God has purposed. Just like Jesus.

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” – Acts 10:38

Why share this with you? Because I want to remind you of just how miraculous your new life in Christ is. I want to remind you that ….

“[You] have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer [you] who live, but Christ lives in [you]; and the life which [you] now live in the flesh ]you live by faith in the Son of God, who loved [you] and gave Himself for [you].” – Galatians 2:20

Because in fulfilling our calling makes us salt and light in a world that desperately needs saving. Just like Jesus – Samuel and Paul – we are part of God’s eternal plan. You have a purpose to fulfill in this mortal life. Don’t let the sound of the beat of the world’s drum drown out the voice of the Lord. The Spirit does not shout, He whispers. What does He say to us?

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone