He ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; for you called me." He said, "I didn't call. Lie down again." He went and lay down. Yahweh called yet again, "Samuel!" Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; for you called me." He answered, "I didn't call, my son. Lie down again." Now Samuel didn't yet know Yahweh, neither was Yahweh's word yet revealed to him. 1 Samuel 3:5–7 WEB.

The flickering of the lamp still lit the room where young Samuel was sleeping. He was now about twelve years old and was serving at the temple. That was the night the Lord began to speak to him. He called Samuel, and Samuel thought it was the high priest Eli calling him, so he ran to his room. After this happened three times, Eli perceived the Lord was trying to speak to Samuel, so he told him to go lie down and if the Lord called to him again to say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."

Interestingly, the high priest of Israel was sleeping just a few doors down, but the Lord chose to speak to young Samuel instead. We like to talk to those at the top when we want something done. Yet, God will often go the other way and start at the bottom. When the "leaders" no longer listen, He will speak to someone else. It's not your position in the church that determines if the Lord will talk to you. If that were the case, then the Lord would have spoken to the high priest Eli that night instead of Samuel, the little servant boy. God looks at the heart, the inner person (1Samuel 16:7).

I once heard a preacher say that God will never speak to you about those "in authority" over you. Then he reminded us that God killed those who spoke against Moses. He was trying to stop gossip about the leadership in the local church, but that's not sound biblical teaching. It's a delusion to think God is your pet and will only speak to who you permit. God speaks to whoever He wants to without getting our permission. He has always done so, and He always will.

While the preacher told us this, young Samuel immediately came to my mind. Then David, Amos, and Jeremiah. The list goes on and on. The Lord told Samuel what He planned to do to the high priest Eli and his family. It wasn't good for them.

Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul (1 Samuel 18:12). Amos was a shepherd and took care of fig trees when God told him to prophesy to the high priest Amaziah (Amos 7:14). Jeremiah was just a youth when the Lord began to speak to him, and he sent him to prophesy to the kings of the land (Jeremiah 1:6).

Will the Lord speak to you today? Absolutely. He told us, "My sheep hear My voice" (John 10:27). Remember that God will never contradict scripture, but He will correct our understanding of it. He will also confirm His word in multiple ways, so you know that it's Him. Let us be like Samuel, speak Lord, for your servant is listening.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am listening today. Please speak to me in a way that I understand and confirm Your word to me. I want to walk closer with You, to know You and Your ways better. Break me out of whatever is holding me back. Here I am, Lord, use me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” James 5:13 ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network. If you are interested in joining the prayer team, here is how to get started Prayer Partners.