Hearing God’s Voice

Samuel

Hearing God's Voice in the Noise

In a world filled with constant noise—honking horns, buzzing phones, crying children, blaring televisions—how do we hear the voice of God? This question isn't merely philosophical; it's deeply practical for anyone seeking to follow Christ in the chaos of modern life.

The truth is simple yet profound: God still speaks. He has spoken, He does speak, and He will continue to speak. The real question is whether we have ears to hear.

The Clarity of God's Voice

Imagine God's voice as a clear, red line on a white background—distinct, unmistakable, always present. Now picture that same image covered with countless squiggly lines representing life's distractions and demands. The red line is still there, unchanged and unwavering. You can still see it if you look carefully. God's voice remains constant in the midst of our chaos; we simply need to learn how to discern it.

This is why Jesus repeatedly said throughout the Gospels, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." It's an invitation and a challenge. God is speaking—are we listening?

A French Soldier's Discovery

Consider the story of Emile Cayet, a French soldier during World War I who described himself as a naturalist and philosophy student. He was adamantly against Christianity and had even banned the Bible from his home. But after watching friends die in battle and being wounded himself, spending nine months in an infirmary, he began wrestling with life's fundamental questions: What happens when we die? Who am I? Why am I here? Why is there evil?

In his desperation, his wife brought him the forbidden Bible. When he opened it, something remarkable happened. He later wrote, "The one who spoke and acted in them became alive in me." The ancient words became a living voice, speaking directly to his soul.

The Story of Samuel

The biblical account of young Samuel provides a beautiful framework for understanding how God speaks. Samuel's mother Hannah was fully committed to the Lord, praying desperately for a son and promising to dedicate him to God's service. When her prayer was answered, she kept her vow, bringing Samuel to serve in the temple under Eli the priest.

Scripture tells us that during this time, "the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions." This wasn't because God stopped speaking—it was because no one was listening. The people were doing what was right in their own eyes, living in spiritual chaos.

Into this environment came young Samuel, growing "in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people." One night, as he slept near the ark of God, he heard a voice calling his name. Three times he ran to Eli, thinking his master had called him. Finally, Eli realized what was happening: God was speaking to the boy.

Eli instructed Samuel with words that should become our daily prayer: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."

Two Essential Prayers

Samuel's response teaches us two crucial postures for hearing God:

"Here I am." This is the pure, childlike availability that God desires. It's waking up each morning and declaring, "Good morning, God. I receive your love and I love you back. Here I am." It's maintaining that openness throughout the day—while changing diapers, sitting in traffic, or facing challenges at work.

"Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." This is active, expectant listening. It's not just being available but being attentive, ready to receive whatever God wants to communicate.

God Speaks in Many Ways

While God speaks most clearly through Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ, He isn't limited to those channels. He still speaks audibly to some. He speaks through dreams, through nature, through circumstances, and through other believers.

One remarkable modern testimony involves a ten-year-old boy who, during his nightly prayers, heard God tell him his sins were forgiven. The next morning, he felt called to fast—and he did, continuing weekly. He began telling classmates about Jesus and believes God is calling him to preach. When tested against Scripture, this aligns perfectly with God's heart and character. God was speaking to a child, just as He spoke to Samuel millennia ago.

Learning to Recognize the Voice

Think about learning to identify a specific bird's call. Once someone teaches you what a cardinal sounds like, you begin hearing it everywhere—on the playground, during a soccer game, even amidst city traffic. You became attuned to that particular sound.

The same principle applies to God's voice. The more time we spend with Him—in His Word, in prayer, in worship—the more familiar His voice becomes. What might seem like random thoughts or coincidences are often God speaking directly to us.

Consider this: when you have a sudden thought about someone you haven't spoken to in months, that might not be random. It could be God prompting you to pray for them or reach out. When you sense conviction about a decision, that could be the Holy Spirit guiding you.

The Requirement of Obedience

Here's the challenging truth: we can only genuinely ask God to speak if we're willing to obey whatever He says. God speaks words of blessing, encouragement, and comfort—but He also speaks warnings, corrections, and rebukes.

Samuel's first message from God was actually a harsh judgment against Eli's family. Imagine being a young boy having to deliver that news to your mentor! Yet Samuel didn't hide anything. His obedience, even in difficult circumstances, marked the beginning of his prophetic ministry.

If we're living in unrepentant sin, we shouldn't be surprised when we struggle to sense God's presence or hear His voice. Obedience isn't the price of admission—it's the fruit of genuine relationship.

The Promise of His Presence

Isaiah 30:21 offers this beautiful promise: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"

Like a parent teaching a child to ride a bike, God often works behind us—not always in our line of sight, but always present, providing balance, guidance, and protection. We may not always see Him clearly, but He's there, speaking, leading, loving.

An Invitation

God wants to speak to you. He delights in your presence and desires relationship with you. The question isn't whether He's speaking—it's whether you're listening.

So today, pray those two simple prayers: "Here I am" and "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Clear away some of the noise. Spend time in Scripture. Be still. Be available. Be attentive.

You might be surprised at what—and Who—you hear.