Speak Lord, We Want to Hear (1 Samuel 3)

Good morning, welcome to Garden City…^[1] If you have a Bible, open with me to 1 Samuel 3.  

My house has been walking through a silent epidemic. If you have family, you’ve probably suffered from this condition too. We have a chronic listening problem.  

I’ll give you a snapshot: The other day, I was telling one of my kids it was time to get ready for bed. Get pajamas on, brush teeth. But they wanted to play with a balloon. I tried to redirect them. I even told them, You need to get ready for bed first, and maybe, if there’s still time, you can come back and play with the balloon. But if you don’t listen, I’m taking the balloon away.  

They start crying; get upset, and I’m like, what did you hear me say?  

Through tears: You said if I play with my balloon you’ll take it away. Sometimes I wonder if there’s even a point for correction. I mean, communication is something we do everyday, but can we just confess we’re not that good at it?  

And if we struggle to hear the people around us, how do you think we’re doing at hearing God’s voice in our lives?  

The past few weeks we’ve been in a series called Search for a King where we’ve said we’re all searching for a King to rule our lives. Someone who will give us identity, security, and purpose. But for someone to be your King means you must surrender to them. To follow them, you must listen to them. So, today we’re going to talk about hearing from God.  

What we learn from 1 Samuel 3 is that God desires for His Word to be our rule, and when we don’t listen, he will make the necessary changes to make his Word unignorable in our lives.  

1 Samuel 3… 

[v. 1] – Now the boy Samuel [that’s Hannah’s son] was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place.  

Details about the infrequency of God’s Word, the lack of visions, even Eli’s poor eyesight, who was the high priest, are signs of the spiritual condition of Israel. When God’s leaders don’t see God’s people don’t hear.  

And life without the Word is a world of darkness. It can feel like trying to walk to the bathroom in the middle of the night with no light on.  

At first, you think you’re familiar enough with your surroundings that you can navigate the room without the light. But then you hit your leg on the frame as you walk around the bed. You step on those legos you didn’t remember were left on the floor. You kick your toe on that little step coming out of the bathroom that was closer than you thought it was. Without the Word of God in your life, you are not nearly as equipped to navigate the world as you think you are.  

[Ps. 119:115] says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” But [v. 1] tells us the Word of the Lord was rare in those days. These were dark times in Israel’s history.  

Now, why is that? Why would God, all of a sudden, stop speaking? Well, it’s judgment for disobedience. See, if you want God to stop speaking to you, hear what He says and don’t do it. And if you want God to stop speaking to your community, join a church with leaders who care nothing about the Bible. That’s what the Temple had become in those days.  

If you remember, back in chapter 2, Eli’s sons were guilty of sleeping with women in the Temple, of extorting people for money, and fattening themselves with the choicest of meat from the temple sacrifices.  

Eli’s sons sinned arrogantly because they treated the Word of God as worthless. But Eli’s sin was creating a community where it was safe to treat God’s Word as worthless.  

Thank God he doesn’t leave us in the dark. The last thing God says to Eli in [1 Sam. 2:35] is that he will raise up a priest who will do everything he wants. Which brings us back to chapter 3. 

[v. 3] – The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. There’s still a glimmer of hope. God’s presence hasn’t left yet.  

But notice the contrast that’s already being set up between Eli and Samuel. Eli had grown old, blind, and fat, and he’s laying down in his normal place.  

Samuel, on the other hand, is young. He’s been faithfully ministering to the 

Lord. And he sleeps next to the room where the Ark of God was kept. The Ark of God was a golden box with angels carved on top. It was like God’s throne, and it represented His presence.  

The Ark was kept in the Holy of Holies, which was a room only the High Priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. The High Priest would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat of the Ark for the forgiveness of sins. 

Now, Samuel wasn’t allowed in that room, but he was close enough to hear God if he were to speak. Which, point taken: In a world full of noise and distraction, where do you retreat to get close to God?  

[v. 4] – Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

This sounds similar to bedtime at my house, except my kids are usually trying to find some way to stay up. Samuel’s coming because he’s been stirred up. Which brings us to our first point. If you want to hear from the Lord:  

1. Surround yourself with people who can help you discern God’s voice in your life.  

In [v. 7], God called out to Samuel at a time when he didn’t know the Lord. That doesn’t mean Samuel didn’t believe in God. It’s just that he’d never had a personal encounter with him before.  

Other people had probably told Samuel what God was like. Living in the temple, he probably heard plenty about God from Eli and the other Levites. In the same way, if you grew up in a Christian home or went to church, you’ve probably heard a lot about God too. But hearing about God isn’t the same as actually encountering Him.  

That’s part of why I value gathering with God’s people every week. The main reason I want to be in church on Sunday is because I believe God meets with us here. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t experience God in other places. Of course, you can. But I know for a fact that He makes His presence known here. I’ve experienced Him. And the moment He stops meeting with us, we either need to repent or go find another church.  

I want to be where God is, whether I deserve it or not. And I believe he wants to speak to us today.  

Now, some of you might say, I’ve never heard God speak to me before. But how do you know? When God spoke to Samuel, Samuel thought it was Eli. He heard from God, and he didn’t know it.  

God speaks to us in lots of ways. He speaks through His creation, His 

Word, His Spirit, and His people. We can spend time in nature, read the Bible, and seek the Spirit’s help. But we also need people we trust who can help us understand God’s voice in our lives. 

For Samuel, that person was Eli. 

Maybe God has spoken to you, but you’ve just never listened. Or maybe he’s spoken to you, but you didn’t understand it.  

I once heard a story about a woman who walked away from a sermon she heard convinced that God was calling everyone to go live on mission overseas. But when she talked with her friends, she was surprised that no one else felt the same way.  

To the point that it made her mad. She was confused why no one else felt the same urgency she did. So she went to talk to another godly woman in her life about it, and they helped her see that God wasn’t calling everyone to overseas missions. But He was calling her.  

In 1 Samuel 3, God called Samuel to speak for God as His prophet. God’s probably not calling you to that same role, but He is calling you into His mission in some way. And he’s given you His Holy Spirit and sent you to live faithfully where you are. 

So what’s God calling you to do? And if you’re not sure, who has He placed in your life to help you discern His voice? And if you’re still not sure, you need to get plugged into a community group.  

Now maybe, in the midst of trying to discern God’s voice, you wonder: How do I know if I’m really hearing from God or if it’s just me? I think that’s a great question, so let me answer with a list of questions:  

1. What does God’s Word say? God will never contradict Himself, so if what you’re hearing violates the nature and character of God, it’s probably not from Him. 

2. Who’s kingdom does it serve? Yours or God’s? Are you doing it for your glory or for His? 

3. Have you prayed about it? We might be quick to seek out other’s advice, but have you gone to the Lord yet? Are you learning to wait on Him? Are you desparate to hear His confirmation? 

4. What does godly counsel say? God has gifted us with His church and other godly friends and family to help us weigh big decisions. Lean into that. 

5. Does walking down this path produce the fruit of the Spirit in you and others? If the decision you’re considering is not leading you and others toward holiness and godliness, you need a new path. 

[v. 8] – And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy.  

As a parent, wake me up once, you need to go back to bed. Wake me up a second time, you had a bad dream, you’re going to be just fine. Wake me up a third time, you have my concern.

[9] Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel!

Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”  

As flawed as Eli is, he’s teaching Samuel the kind of posture you should have toward God when he’s King in your life. It’s a heart posture that says: 

2. Learn to put your yes on the table before God even asks.

Samuel says, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Let me translate: Lord, I have no idea what you’re about to say to me, but I can tell you right now my answer’s yes.  

Now, be honest. Within reason, how many people could come and make a hard ask to you right now and it’d be an automatic yes? I would guess that number is very low. Praise God, there are special people in our lives that we love and would be willing to do anything for.  

When it comes to our relationship with God, he should be one of them. Living a life of surrender to the Lord means he gets our yes before he even asks the question.  

That’s what a life of surrender is. I can honestly say I am where I am today because I was a part of a church that taught me to put my yes on the table and trust God to put it on the map.  

I’ve served in big churches, I’ve served in small churches. I’ve served locally. I’ve served abroad. I was a deacon at a struggling church plant because God asked me. I stepped into a pastoral role at another church, doing things outside my comfort zone because God asked me. I said goodbye to family and friends and moved to Malaysia because God asked me.  

There are people I have no problem saying no to. The older I get, the more nos I give. But God is not one of them. Maybe that kind of relationship with God feels uncomfortable because it means letting go of control. But it really comes down to this: Either I’m the king of my life, or God is. And I know He’s a far better King than I am. 

It actually excites me to think about how God will spend my life if I give it to Him. Knowing his character, knowing his plans, He’s in a much better position to make that call anyway!  

Now, there have been plenty of times where I’ve thought, God you should get somebody else to do that. Surely, there are more qualified people at your disposal. But God has continued to teach me it’s not giftedness but surrender that he wants most.  

Maturity in the Christian life isn’t measured by how gifted you are but by your faithfulness to do everything God says. 

But listen—You will not live your life for God if you have not surrendered to Him. It’s just that simple. See, if Samuel had said, “God, before I follow you, tell me what you want me to do first?” he probably would’ve never listened.  

[v. 11] – Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons wereblaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” [15] Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli.  

3. Sometimes obedience to God means doing things you don’t want to do.   

But you do them anyway…Now, imagine being a teenager like Samuel. 

You’re encountering God for the first time. Your faith feels new and alive. You’ve talked with your mentor, who’s been a spiritual giant in your life, and he’s been helping you. And then God comes and says, “I want you to tell your mentor, the only father-figure you’ve ever known, that I’m rejecting his house forever, and there’s nothing he can do about it…” And that’s Samuel’s first assignment. A boy judging the High Priest.  

How would you feel? I’ve been in situations where I’ve questioned my calling. I remember talking to another pastor-friend during a season of struggle, where I really wasn’t sure what God wanted me to do. Or if I was the right person for the position I was in. And he did what any good friend would do. He asked me good questions—Why do you think you’re not called to this anymore?  

What he helped me see is that God wasn’t releasing me from my calling. It was that I was struggling to accept my assignment. I wanted out of the assignment God had given me, and my friend was right to advise me not to do that. 

God just gave Samuel a hard first assignment. Samuel was probably hoping for something a little easier. But reform is always hard. Getting rid of sin in your life is often just as painful as it is healing.  

But we need to come into the light. We need to expose the hidden sins in our lives. We need to confess all the ways we treat God’s Word as worthless in our lives. We need to repent of all the ways we talk ourselves into thinking God won’t care. Yes, he does.  

Walking in sin is never a path to freedom; it’s always surrender to lesser kings. In this case, Israel needs new leaders who won’t blaspheme the name of God.  

God said in Numbers 15 that anyone who makes a mockery of Him by despising His Word and breaking His commands “shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.” So, God’s just doing what He said. 

Now, Samuel’s afraid to tell Eli, but watch how Eli responds [v. 16] – But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me.

May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And [Eli] said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”

When the time comes, I want to be like Samuel, who has the courage to say the hard things out loud. I want to hear God’s, “Well done, good and faithful servant” because I did not shrink back from doing anything he required of me.  

And if the time comes, I pray I have the humility of Eli to accept the hard things God has to say about me.  

See, Samuel would learn that all of God’s Word is authoritative. It’s instructive for correction and reproof and its healing even when it hurts. 

And Eli doesn’t dismiss it. He doesn’t try to silence Samuel. Instead, he recognizes that Samuel’s words are God’s words. 

Listen: Do you take God’s Word to heart like that? Are you willing to hear the hard things? Because here’s the thing. You can ignore what other people say because their words eventually fade. But what God says about you doesn’t. His words last forever.  

There is so much comfort in God’s Word, but sometimes his Word pierces like a sword. He’ll go all surgical on you. Maybe you stopped reading the Bible because you felt discouraged by something God said. You think you’re not like the good people God describes, and you don’t know what to do about it.  

But here’s the thing: the Bible does include some hard news about us. But 

God tells us these things so that we can better understand just how good His good news really is. That’s why… 

4. Listening to God isn’t just about instruction, but transformation.  

I want you to understand what’s going on here. God’s bringing about renewal in the lives of his people, and that starts with raising up a leader who will speak what God says.  

If you look at the bookends of the chapter, we went from a time when God’s word was rare to a time when God used Samuel to speak his Word to all of 

Israel.   

[v. 19] – And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

[4:1] – And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.

Why is it so important for us to hear the Word of God in our lives? Because His Word is what convicts us of sin, what comforts us in our despair, and what changes us from death to life. God’s Word is powerful.  

Some theologians like to talk about the efficacy of God’s Word. Efficacy is just a fancy word that means the ability to produce a desired result.  

People in the medical community talk about the efficacy of a vaccine to reduce the risk of disease. A vaccine doesn’t mean no one will get sick, but higher efficacy means fewer people will. Well, God’s Word has a 100% efficacy because His Word always does what it intends. 

That’s what [v. 19] means when it says none of his words fell to the ground. Our words fall to the ground all the time. Just watch an inexperienced dad try to command a room of 5 year olds. That poor guy doesn’t stand a chance. But when God speaks, the whole world bends into motion.  

I was thinking about this earlier this week with the people of Nineveh. They heard Jonah say, “Forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” And it says the people believed God, and they repented. Now I gotta admit, I always thought those were Jonah’s words, but God must have put his name on it because Jonah’s words wouldn’t have that kind of power. Why’d they repent? The only reason I can think of is that God’s Word doesn’t change, and since they believed God, they took that to mean they must.   

Hearing the warning of God’s Word led them to experience the grace of God. And God’s Word had its desired effect. That’s why if we really want to be changed by God, we need to learn to listen to all that He has to say, and not just the parts we like.  

Listen and believe the bad news, but then, keep going to the good news.  

It’s like the other week, someone shared with me that, he wanted to know God but he’s been afraid. This guy said he’d been running away from God for years, so I asked him if he knew why? He said, “Because I know that I’m a bad person, and I don’t deserve God’s love.”  

Man, there was some power in those words. I thought I was going to cry. Like, that confession was a product of God at work in his life. I think it resonated with me so much because there was a time in my life when I would’ve said the same thing about myself.  

I told him, it was so clear that God was speaking to him. So, instead of running away because you’re not good enough, why don’t you lean the other way? Why don’t you stay and let God finish what He has to say and watch Him save you?   

See, this is where listening to God’s Word and understanding what He’s doing through Samuel gets very personal.  

If you skip ahead to Acts 3, the apostle Peter, filled by the power of the Holy Spirit, stands up to speak God’s Word to people who he said had acted ignorantly because they didn’t listen to God’s prophets. That’s the bad news. But here’s God’s transforming power:  

[Acts 3:18] – But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. God’s Word does all that he says.  

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…

We’ve been walking in times of darkness, and God’s calling us back into the light. Peter goes on to say that the boy Samuel was the first in a line of prophets to tell us that Jesus would come to take away our sins. And Peter said he did it.  

[Hebrews 1:1] – Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

And that is where he reigns as King today. So my question for you is will you do what He says? We need to learn to become fluent in the gospel. We need to speak the gospel to ourselves and to those around us. But we also need to understand the power of God’s Word that he’s given us to wield:  

Speaking the gospel is going to be death for some and life for others. It’s going to be a stench for some and a pleasing aroma to others. It’s going to offend and it’s going to heal. It’s going to condemn and it’s going to set free.  

But every single one of us needs to hear it. We need to hear what God has spoken over us and so do the many people around us.  

And here’s what we know: Jesus is the Word who changes lives, and he’s effective in doing everything God has spoken. 

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^[1] Works Consulted:  

The First Book of Samuel – Tsumura; “Abusive Leaders and Faithful Shepherds” – Greear; “Speak Lord, 

Your Servant Hears” – Shelton; “The Danger of the Comfort Zone” – Atwood