1 Samuel 3:19-21
The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let
none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to
Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued
to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his
word.
Do not let the noise of the world keep you from hearing
the voice of the Lord.
When I worked at the college library, a storm passed through
and knocked out the electric. The silence felt intense. No computers hummed,
the students had gone home, the HVAC shut down, and the fluorescent lights no
longer buzzed. I'm not sure I realized how much noise filled my ears when the
electric worked. I found the quiet peaceful.
Physical sound isn't the only noise of the world. Opinions,
commercials, chaos, directions, voices on all sides of every topic fill the
void. Sometimes they make so much noise and cause so much distraction, I no
longer hear the most important voice, because I'm no longer listening.
In 1 Samuel 3, Samuel heard God's voice, but he didn't
recognize Him. God called to him, but Samuel thought his mentor Eli spoke to
him. Samuel didn't know God well enough to hear Him. He'd been learning and
serving, but he didn't know the voice of God. Eli explained to him, God is
calling you, and He wants to know you and for you to know Him. Go back to sleep
and wait for God to call on you. Samuel did and just as Eli said, God revealed
himself to Samuel.
Amid the noise, seek to hear the voice of God. His is the
one I want to listen to as He guides me through this crazy life. When I hear
from God, I know I'm on the best path, the one He's paved for me. I may not
hear an audible voice, but I do know in my heart when He speaks because the
Holy Spirit reminds me to listen. He nudges me to be quiet and hear my Father's
voice.
Quiet the noise and listen to God.
