Paul Fritz, Professor of Missions at the Trinity College of Florida, while delivering a message entitled, ‘Knowing God’s will,’ quoted an unknown author and said: “When God bolts the door, don’t try to get in through the window.”

1 SAMUEL 3:1-10 indicates the first time that God spoke to Samuel. He always slept in the house of the Lord, which had the Ark of the Covenant. He ensured that the lamp which was usually put out every evening, would not go out until the morning. He was diligent in his service to God, helping Eli the priest.

The Lord had not spoken to Samuel before in a clear voice until this time.

In those days, it was gathered that the Lord hardly ever spoke directly to people and did not appear to them in dreams very often either. Some Bible scholars noted that in the days of Moses and Joshua, the Lord often spoke to the leaders of the Israelites. But when the people went into sin, worshipping foreign gods, God could not speak to them in clear voice anymore.

Yet, one night, He called Samuel, as Eli was asleep in his room. When he heard the Lord’s voice, he thought it was Eli’s and he ran to him. Eli told the boy that he was not the one calling him. This happened thrice before Eli realized it could be God calling Samuel. He therefore taught the boy the proper way to reply the Lord.

“Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place” (1 Samuel 3:9).

Our text, which is quite significant, indicates that God can speak to His children through a clear audible voice. But when there is sin, He can be completely silent.

God stopped speaking to the Israelites when sin came in. This in effect, means that sin can strain our relationship with God. He was able to speak to Samuel because the boy’s way pleased Him. So, if our ways please Him, God will surely draw us closer to Himself. The choice is entirely ours.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: God only honours those who honour and reverence Him.

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