September 24 | 1 Samuel 3:10-11

“And the Lord came and stood, and calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” And the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel which everyone who hears it, their two ears will tingle.” (1 Samuel 3:10–11)

There are at least two types of listening. One is with intention. You cut out all the noise, ignoring everything around you except for the one thing you need to be listening to. The second is passive hearing. Some people call it selective hearing. It lacks any focus on what we should focus on.

When God speaks, we must learn to listen to His voice. Have you ever sat and just listened? Opened yourself up to hear from God? Samuel was dedicated to the Temple as a young boy by his mother Hannah.

He was an answer to her prayers. And yet while he was just about to sleep he could hear God’s voice. And he became the answer to the prayers of Israel. He thought Eli the priest was calling him. But it was the Lord.

Have you mistaken God’s voice for another? When the Holy Spirit speaks, are you listening? The world is full of voices. Advertisers wanting you to buy this or that. People offering their opinion without you asking.

But you must focus on God’s voice alone. When the Holy Spirit speaks you must know His voice. You must recognize it. And the only way to do that is to practice.

Action Step: Listen in the silence to the Holy Spirit’s voice. He always speaks the truth. He always glorifies Jesus. And He always agrees with Scripture. He speaks positively and builds you up even when He is correcting you.

Holy Spirit, teach me to hear Your voice through all the noise. Cut through every message and open my ears to hear Your encouragement and correction. Meet me in the stillness and fill me with Your presence.