Speak LORD
“Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
I Samuel 3:10
Samuel was a young boy when his mother brought him to Eli. Hannah said: “For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”
I Samuel 1:27-28
We don’t know how old Samuel was when he went to minister to the Lord. Some have said that he was probably somewhere between 3 and 7 years old.
“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”
I Samuel 3:1
“The word of the LORD was rare in those days…”
(Sounds like today, doesn’t it?)
The setting for chapter 3 is at night, sometime before dawn. Priests were supposed to keep the light of the lamp burning until the morning light. (Exodus 27:21)
God calls out to Samuel, but he doesn’t know it’s God’s voice. He thinks it’s Eli calling him. So, Samuel goes to him. This happens 3 times before Eli realizes that it is God calling him.
So, Eli gives Samuel some wise counsel. “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.”
I Samuel 3:9
Author David Guzik says:
“Eli told Samuel to:
- Make himself available for God to speak (Go, lie down).
- Not be presumptuous about God speaking (if He calls you).
- Respond to the word of God (Speak, LORD).
- Humble himself before God and His word (Your servant hears). Speak, LORD: We must hear from God. ”
Too many times I rush in and out of prayer time without listening to the voice of God.
Oswald Chambers gives us a challenge:
“Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance… Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen.”
*** May we all pray with a humble heart and say sincerely “Speak LORD for your servant is listening.”
