Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

The Fourth Call

This entry was posted on 04-16-2007 and is filed under Devotional.

"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.'" (1 Samuel 3:9 NKJV).

Samuel is one of the finest characters in all of the Bible. His mother "loaned him to the Lord" for life (1:28). "Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing the linen ephod" (2:18). One night his sleep was interrupted three times by a Voice calling his name. Samuel was confused, thinking it was the voice of Eli the priest. Eli gave him good advice, advice we need to follow today when we are confused.

First, perhaps we need to just lie down and rest awhile. Many of us are work too long and are overwrought. Rest awhile. We can think better after a period of rest. We can sort things out. Samuel lived in a time when "the word of God was rare." We have God's revealed Word today. Read it slowly, carefully, thoughtfully, prayerfully. God still speaks to us today through His Son (Hebrews 1:2). It took four calls for God to get through to Samuel. Sometimes God's Word does not register with us the first, second, or third time. Are you ready for the fourth call? When it comes be sure to say, "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening" (NIV).

Prayer: O Lord, we want to have the tender heart of young Samuel. May we rest awhile and listen for Your voice — even the fourth call. May we recognize Your voice and say with Samuel, 'Your servant is listening!' Through Your Son we pray.