A Voice in the Dark

Read

1 Samuel 3:2-4 "One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, 'Here I am.'"

Think

Imagine you are almost asleep, all cozy in your bed, and you hear someone call your name. You would probably sit right up and say, “What? Who’s there?” That is exactly what happened to a boy named Samuel a very long time ago, and this week we get to follow his story.

Samuel was just a kid, maybe not much older than you, and he lived and helped at God’s house, sort of like a church. One night, while he was lying down, he heard a voice call his name. “Samuel!” So he jumped up, ready to help, and said, “Here I am.”

Here is what is so encouraging about this story. God did not wait until Samuel was a grown-up to speak to him. God called out to a kid. That tells us something important. You are not too young for God to speak to you. He knows your name right now, at the age you are today.

Notice how Samuel answered. “Here I am.” That is the answer of someone who is ready. He did not roll over and ignore the voice. He got up. He was willing. Even before he understood what was happening, his heart was ready to listen.

This connects to everything we learned earlier this month about hearing God. Remember the shepherd who calls his sheep by name? Here is a true story of God doing exactly that, calling one boy by name in the quiet of the night.

So this week, as we follow Samuel, keep one thing in mind. If God spoke to a kid like Samuel, he can speak to a kid like you. The question is not whether you are old enough. The question is whether you are ready to say, “Here I am.”

It is easy to think the important stuff is only for grown-ups. But God has always loved to use kids. Samuel was young, and God trusted him with something big. You matter to God right now, not just someday when you are older. He is calling out to you today.

Apply

Say “Here I am” – Sometime today, tell God out loud, “Here I am. I’m ready to listen.” Say it like Samuel did, ready and willing, even before you know what God might say.

Pray

God, thank you that I am not too young for you to speak to me. Just like you called Samuel, you know my name too. Help me be ready to say, “Here I am,” whenever you call. In Jesus’ name. Amen.