Fast Day 6

I Samuel 3:8-9

“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.” 

Have you ever questioned whether you have heard the voice of God? You are not alone. God called the young man Samuel in 1 Samuel Chapter 3 three times before his mentor and priest Eli recognized it was the Lord calling him. 

The following we can learn from this story about increasing our ability to hear the voice of God clearly and consistently:

  1. Stay near the presence – verse 3 tells us that Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. He drew close to God; therefore, God could speak to Him. How are you drawing close to God’s presence? (worship, prayer, fasting, reading His word) because God promises as we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us. (James 4:8)

  2. Lay down and wait – The idea is finding a place free from distraction, so you can quiet your heart and mind. Prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue.

  3. Willingness to do what God says — The key to hearing God is to consistently and repeatedly do the last thing He told you to do. Then, always be ready and willing for a change in direction.

  4. How much value do you place on hearing God’s voice? We value what we are willing to invest in and sacrifice for.

Prayer Focus

  • Ask God to clearly speak to you.

  • Pray for all other competing voices to be silenced

  • Pray for a hunger to live near the presence of God and a removal of distractions.

  • Grab your journal and Bible and wait with full expectation that God will speak to you.

Crossing Church