1 Samuel 3:1-10
3:1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.
3:2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room;
3:3 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.
3:4 Then the LORD called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!”
3:5 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.
3:6 The LORD called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up 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.”
3:7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
3:8 The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy.
3:9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
3:10 Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Prayer:
God, you spoke to Samuel and even in the quiet of the night, he didn’t yet recognize you. I wonder how often we, too, don’t recognize your voice calling? We live in a world of noise and distraction; are we attuned to you in the midst of the cacophony of life? Help us listen. Help us hear you through the glimpses of Imago Dei all around us. Help us to hear you through the sound of waves at the beach, or the running brook in the mountain. Help us to hear you through the laughter of children playing, and through the guttural cries of the oppressed. Give us grace to listen. Help us to discern your divine invitation to us and help us to be brave in answering your voice when you call to us. Amen.
Written by Dr. Tiffanie Wilson, Hope House UTC (University of Tennessee Chattanooga)