Listening to the Call

 

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

~Proverbs 20:11 KJV

Have you ever played “Mother, May I”? "The mother" tells each child what to do to get to her. ("The mother" can be anyone, not just girls.) "The mother" asks each child, in turn, to perform butterfly twirls or bunny hops, take giant steps or baby steps. To win, the child must obey "the mother’s" directions and remember to ask, “Mother, may I?”.

In I Samuel 3, God literally called Samuel. Samuel thought Eli, the priest, was calling him. Eli trained Samuel to learn obedience, to take care of the tabernacle, and to serve God. God called Samuel three times. Each time Samuel got out of bed and went to Eli. He never yelled to see what Eli needed. He never ignored what he perceived to be Eli’s voice. Samuel went to check on Eli’s needs. Finally, Eli realized it was God calling Samuel. He told Samuel to answer God in this way; “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” When God called Samuel for the fourth time, Samuel answered God as Eli had instructed. God could have called anyone in the nation of Israel. He called Samuel because Samuel’s heart was prepared to listen and obey.

 Samuel made a great difference in the nation of Israel because of his willingness to obey God rather than please himself. Samuel first had to learn as a child to willingly obey Eli. We may already be adults but if we haven't been trained or discipled, we are still children in our walk with Christ. We all want to make a difference, leave our mark, change the world. God can choose anyone. God wants to choose you. Prepare for the job God has for you. Listen and obey those God is using to train you.

 “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” ~I Samuel 3:10b NIV

Are you allowing yourself to be discipled? How is the Lord speaking to you? 

Father, help me listen to those you are using to train me to be your disciple. Help me listen for your calling that I may make a difference in the time and place where you have placed me. In Jesus's name. Amen. 

Hey Kids: 

Samuel practiced obedience so when God called him he was ready to answer.

Read I Samuel 3. 

What were some of the ways Samuel allowed himself to be trained for God's service? Perhaps these were some of his jobs.

• fill the lamps with oil.
• trim the lamp wicks
• dust/shine the items in the tabernacle
• help Eli in preparing the showbread
• coming when Eli called realizing Eli was old and blind. 

How will you learn to obey your parents so you will be willing and ready to obey God's call?