1 Samuel 3-4
“Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.” The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:7, 10
Samuel has been in the presence of the Lord and yet has not known the Lord. The first verse of the chapter may help us understand why, “In those days, the word of the LORD was rare.” So when Samuel heard the Lord, he did not know him. But then, at Eli’s instruction, Samuel asked God to speak to him because he was his servant. I remember the time in my life before I knew the Lord. I was raised in his presence by good parents in a good church, but I did not yet know him for myself. And then God called to me! I turned to him and gave him my life and my love. My life changed and now I have his word speaking into my life and heart through his word and his Spirit. The only way that God will speak rarely now is if I do not open the Bible, for he speaks through the Bible all the time. God speaks to me through His Word and I speak to him in response. What special worship this is. Speak to me, Lord! Your servant is listening. I worship and adore you.
O Lord, thank you for speaking to me. Thank you for calling to me. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for allowing me to worship you. You have my heart. It is yours. I am your servant, willing to serve you. Amen