Tuesday, December 1
I am about to do something… 1 Samuel 3:11

Scholars believe that Samuel was probably around twelve years old when God called with the astounding news that he was about to do something that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.

• Samuel needed spiritual guidance: Eli realized the God was calling the boy.

He knows how to respond to God after his God- appointed mentor recognizes the voice. Who are your wise friends? I’m grateful for words of wisdom from wise friends (many younger than myself) whose ears are often more tuned to God’s words than are my own. They also may sense that God is about to do something in, through, or for me that I just don’t “get.”

• Samuel was in “listening mode”: Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.

In this media bombarded, busy world, listening is not just desirable but necessary. It takes daily determination and practice to listen.

• Samuel carried on with everyday life: Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord.

Hearing God’s voice usually doesn’t involve me in heroic action. More often it’s described by the words carved into the lintel of an English village church: Do ye the next thynge.

• Samuel never outgrew the habit of listening: The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up…The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh (place of worship), and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

I need to systematically practice the words written in my Bible’s flyleaf: Come to your chosen passage as to a place where you will have a holy meeting with God.

God is always about to do something, whether on a grand scale or in small, seemingly insignificant ways. How do I prepare for his plan? Am I listening?