4 Principles for Tuning Into God’s Voice | 1 Samuel 3:2-7
Do you want to increase how you hear God's voice?
Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.
This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 3. I've titled this chapter "Into Our Silence God Speaks." Today, I am reading verses 2-7, which states:
At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 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. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 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. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose 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.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. — 1 Samuel 3:2-7
Two Contrasts
This section has two fascinating contrasts.
First, there's a striking contrast between aging Eli's failing eyesight lying in darkness in his own place and young Samuel resting in the Temple near the ark under the evening lamp. The author wants us to see the strong contrast between the two men at this moment. One man is on his way out of the leadership, and the other is on his way in.
Second, we encounter the phrase, "Samuel did not yet know the Lord." This line echoes the declaration made about Hophni and Phineas in the previous chapter, "They did not know the Lord." However, the distinction lies in their reasons: Eli's sons rejected the Lord, whereas Samuel hadn't yet had a personal encounter with Him. The word "yet" in the text promises future revelation: "Samuel did not yet know the Lord."
Many of you know what happens next in the story. It's pretty spectacular.
Four Principles for Tuning Into God's Voice
But for now, let me suggest four great principles we can glean from this text for tuning into God's voice.
Principle One | Put Yourself In Proximity To God.
God is speaking. He has something to say to you about your present situation. But if you are not in proximity to God, like Eli, who is weary and in his own place rather than in the house of the Lord, it will be harder to hear his voice. Physical and spiritual proximity play a part in hearing from God. This means you have to stop being resistant to the Church and God and move closer to both.
Let me make this simple and practical: Go to church this week. Stop being so judgmental about the program, people, praise, and preaching, and instead listen to what God is trying to say only to you through the program, people, praise, and preaching. I bet you hear God speak in a way you have not heard him speak in a while.
Principle Two | Disobedience Hinders Hearing God.
Hophni and Phineas were disobedient men and spiritual leaders who did not know the Lord because they did not listen to the Lord. So, if you live in disobedience to the Lord, don't expect to hear from the Lord. It's impossible to hear from the Lord in disobedience because you are not listening to the Lord but to the Enemy of the Lord. You cannot listen and act on what the Enemy says to do and expect to hear from the Lord. That logic doesn't work.
Principle Three | Obedience Enhances Hearing God.
When we are obedient to God, this will enhance the connection to God. As John Hammis once wrote:
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey. — John Hammis, Trust and Obey.
Principle Four | The More You Listen & Obey, The More You Know God.
As the text states, "Samuel did not yet know the Lord." But once he learned to listen, he would remember his voice and know the Lord more and more. The same is true with us. The more we listen and obey God, the better we hear him and the more we know Him. If we continue listening and obeying, we will know him and hear from him more and more.
So, commit to drawing closer to God. Get to know Him. Increase your reception by being in proximity, ending disobedience, and living in obedience. Tune into the whispers and get to know the Lord. He has the guidance and comfort you want and need.
#ListenAndObey, #DivineWhispers, #SpiritualReception
Ask This:
How can you intentionally create space in your life to draw closer to God and hear His voice more clearly?
Reflecting on times of disobedience and obedience in your life, what changes can you make today to enhance your receptivity to God's guidance and direction?
Do This:
Choose one of the four principles above and do it.
Pray This:
Lord, help me draw near to You with an open heart, eagerly listening for Your voice amidst the noise of life. Guide me to obedience and deeper intimacy with You so that I may walk closely with You and know You more fully each day. Amen.
Play This:
Trust and Obey.
-
7:32
The Daily Devo by Vince Miller
5 days agoOn The Run But Not Alone | 1 Samuel 21
242 -
1:59:08
Danny Haiphong
13 hours agoBen Norton: Hezbollah REPELS Israel's Ground War, IDF STRIKES Russia Air Base–Is WW3 Next?
58.3K53 -
58:47
Flyover Conservatives
1 day agoPort Shutdowns Paralyzing Global Trade: What You Need to Know - Clay Clark | FOC Show
70.3K10 -
55:19
LFA TV
1 day agoKamala’s Triple Whammy: Flooding, Port Strikes and War | Trumpet Daily 10.3.24 9PM EST
57.5K16 -
46:23
Donald Trump Jr.
17 hours agoJD Shows why He was the Perfect VP Pick, my Full Reaction | TRIGGERED Ep.179
143K277 -
LIVE
Right Side Broadcasting Network
2 days agoLIVE REPLAY: President Trump to Hold a Rally in Saginaw, MI - 10/3/24
3,823 watching -
46:41
Kimberly Guilfoyle
17 hours agoHard Truths & Dishonest Dems, Interviews with Roger Stone & Rep Michael Waltz | Ep. 162
103K49 -
1:34:46
Redacted News
14 hours agoEMERGENCY! UKRAINE BOMBS NUCLEAR FACILITY, AMERICANS TOLD TO GET OUT OF LEBANON NOW | Redacted
177K441 -
44:57
Candace Show Podcast
13 hours agoI Spoke With Kamala's Uncle! | Candace Ep 78
177K976 -
5:51
The Gun Collective
14 hours agoExposing the way to make her LOSE.
49.7K28