Laying Down

So Samuel went and lay down in his place....

Listening to God has been quite a theme. There are some in the wide Church spectrum who limit God’s ability to speak today. They restrict it to what we already have in the form of Scripture. Others go all the way to say that it is possible to receive new revelation from God through static and dynamic experiences. I do believe, that today, we are able to listen to God’s voice. Let me clarify my point. I do believe that there is no more canonic word from God breathed out (theopneustos). The scripture is theopneustos, indicating that it was produced by the Spirit of God, comparable to the air that was exhaled from the very breath of God. Do you believe that even today, through the Holy Spirit, we can receive divine revelation from the theopneustos that have been given to us?

The biblical account of young Samuel offers a poignant reminder that Christians may engage in religious practice without fully grasping God’s voice. Verse 1 delivers crucial information that demands our careful consideration.

“Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.”

Samuel was a young boy who served at the Church. Under the tutelage of the venerable and highly esteemed priest Eli, he diligently absorbed the intricacies of service, learning both the essential practices and the pitfalls to avoid. In his time, the word of the Lord “was rare.” Today, we can no longer say that God’s voice is rare as we have been given Scripture; we have the word of God at hand, and we can even access it on our mobile devices. Eli diligently trained young Samuel for service, yet he overlooked teaching him the crucial skill of listening and recognizing the voice of God.

One evening, as the moon cast its silvery glow upon the earth, the Lord reached out to Samuel in a divine summons. Without hesitation, the young boy hurried through the stillness of the night to assist the experienced priest, who was reclining in the quiet of his chambers. The boy had never experienced the gentle whisper of God's voice; it was a sound that was entirely unfamiliar to him, and so he remained unaware of its sweet, soothing, and calming presence. When God spoke to Samuel, the young boy initially mistook the divine voice for that of his mentor, Eli. Despite being called three times by God, Samuel kept running towards Eli, unaware of the true source of the call.

The third time Samuel approached Eli, the priest discerned that it was the Lord who was calling the boy. Here’s what transpired that night:

“So Samuel went and lay down in his place….” I am a firm believer in the belief that God communicates with us in the present day. I am thoroughly convinced that we have the ability to tune in and listen to the Holy Spirit. Today, the Holy Spirit primarily communicates with us through the teachings of the Bible. However, I also believe that the Holy Spirit imparts words, impressions, and images to us that align with the teachings and principles found in scripture. The inspiration we currently possess gives rise to concepts, impressions, and visualizations. The Bible unequivocally communicates:

First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20-21 (NRSVA)

This aligns with the urging of the apostle Paul for us not to, “be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2). TBy immersing ourselves in reading, meditating, and contemplating Scripture, we allow our minds to be transformed, leading to thoughts that are rooted in Scripture. In essence, our thinking, dreaming, and perceptions will be influenced by the divine inspiration of Scripture.

 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.
1 Samuel 3:10 (NRSVA)

Once young Samuel was instructed to lean on and respond to God’s voice, the Lord gave him a prophetic word. God had chosen young Samuel to serve as a prophet, and the beginning of his prophetic ministry was imminent. Samuel wholeheartedly embraced and relied on God’s voice, fully submitting to His divine guidance.

Today, we are blessed to have God’s word right in front of us. Each time we open it, we have the opportunity to hear His personal message for both you and me. Let’s strive to be as responsive as Samuel was. When we open our Bibles, let’s eagerly say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is ready to listen.”

And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
1 Samuel 3:20-21 (NRSVA)

When we listen and follow God's voice, and begin to act on His guidance, something beautiful happens within us. Samuel became known for his trustworthiness because he lived by God's word. Similarly, when we embrace God's principles, those around us will see our distinctive way of living and interacting. As a result, we will naturally gain the trust of others.

The passage joyfully shows how the Lord lovingly revealed himself to Samuel through the “word of the Lord.” It beautifully emphasizes the significance of approaching our Bibles with the eager intention of listening to God’s voice. God reveals himself in his theopneustos. If God reveals himself in the Scripture, how is it that we barely open? (if we even do so) How is it that we settle for 45 minutes week in and week out? If we know that God is calling us, why do we willingly and purposely decide not to open our Bibles?

I do believe that today, we are able to listen to God’s voice. I have complete faith that God actively communicates with us, and we have the ability to tune in to listen to the Holy Spirit. I am steadfast in my belief that the Holy Spirit imparts words, impressions, and images to us that are in line with the teachings and principles found in scripture. I am truly excited about the spiritual connection and guidance that is accessible to us. Are you willing to lay down and say as young Samuel did, “Speak, for your servant is listening”?