Recognize When God is Calling

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 1 Samuel 3:8, ” And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, ‘Here I am, for you did call me.’ Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. “

Background

Back in the day, there was a classic television commercial about the Tootsie Roll Lollipop. A young boy asked a cow how many licks it took to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop. The cow said he always bit it and sent the boy to ask a fox. The fox had a similar response and sent him on to the turtle. The old turtle never made it without biting, either, and suggested asking the wise owl. The wise owl endeavored to find out, and taking the lollipop from the boy, began licking. After counting off three licks, he took a huge bite that revealed the candy center of the lollipop. And thus he declared that it took three licks to reach the center. My favorite Bible story as a child was the call of Samuel from the Lord. I can still remember my dad reading it to us and the picture in the Bible of Eli and young Samuel. I used to wonder what it sounded like for God to talk to you, and how many calls it would take for me to realize that it was God speaking. For Eli, the third beckoning from the Lord finally alerted him to realize that God was speaking out to Samuel. And once he understood what was happening, he instructed Samuel to answer back to God and wait for His response.

Application

But three tries always seemed like a lot to me, considering that Eli was a priest and spent his life serving the Lord in the tabernacle. And based on his misunderstanding of Hannah’s praying, and the vile lifestyle he permitted his sons to live while serving along with him, it bears evidence that Eli was not walking as close to God as he should have been. If he had been, perhaps many things for him would have turned out differently. God probably has some things to communicate with you. And if you’ve been in tune with that, then hallelujah. But if His word is rare, as it was in their day, then could it be an indicator that you’re not as close to His center as you need to be? Could you be bouncing from fox to turtle, instead of getting close to the wise One? If so, how many more calls will it take for you to return?

Charge

As we seek Him today, readjust your tuning so as to be inclined to hear God’s voice. Turn down the noise and give Him some undivided attention.