The Prophet Samuel
Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10
When Samuel was a boy, few of his fellow Jews wanted to hear God’s Word. It was rare that God spoke directly to anyone as He had done long before with Moses. Samuel had learned about God and heard His Word from his parents. But he “did not yet know the Lord,” that is, he had never heard God speak to him directly. One night as Samuel was serving in the tabernacle, God called him. Samuel mistakenly thought that the priest Eli had called him. This happened a few more times until Eli told Samuel to reply to God, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening,” which Samuel did. God spoke to Samuel, and Samuel listened attentively to God’s words.
God speaks to us through the Bible. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (2 Timothy 3:16) The Bible is the Word of God. When we hear or study the Bible, we need to humbly, attentively listen to what God says. “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) Through His Word, God teaches us right from wrong and shows us the way to go in life. “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) Through His Word, God teaches us about our sinfulness and our salvation by faith in Jesus who died for our sins on the cross and rose again. God tells us, “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them.” (Proverbs 4:20-22)
Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.
Speak, O Lord, Thy servant heareth,
To Thy Word I now give heed;
Life and spirit Thy Word beareth,
All Thy Word is true indeed.
Death’s dread power in me is rife;
Jesus, may Thy Word of life
Fill my soul with love’s strong fervor
That I cling to Thee forever.
The Lutheran Hymnal 296:1