The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I’ve always wondered how to recognize God’s voice. I have many thoughts pop into my head. Are any of them a message from God?

I love the story of Samuel’s first encounter with God, of which today’s verse is a part. However, I’ve always been envious of the way Samuel heard God’s voice. Apparently young Samuel heard God’s voice so clearly, he thought it was his teacher, Eli, calling him. Three times he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. What do you want?” (I’m paraphrasing.)

Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice either. It was actually Eli who eventually realized it was God Samuel had been hearing. And Eli told Samuel to reply the way he did in today’s verse. Just listen.

Why didn’t Samuel know God’s voice? And why did Eli?

Eli was a priest. He had spent his life in service to God. He’d read the scriptures, studied the law, and knew God. Samuel was young and just getting started as Eli’s helper.

If I want to be able to recognize God’s voice, I need to spend time learning about His character, reading His word, and praying to Him. God won’t say anything out of character. The God of love won’t tell me to hate anyone for example.

But it would also be helpful to have someone else who knows God verify it for me the way Eli verified it for Samuel. “Hey, that sounds like God!”

So what do I do when I think God may be trying to tell me something? To start, I can take Eli’s advice and listen prayerfully. Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.

Dear God,

Thank you for speaking to me at various times in my life. Even when you use your still, small voice instead of your out-loud, obvious voice, help me always to recognize it as your voice. Forgive me for the times when I haven’t heard you, haven’t listened, or haven’t obeyed. Keep my ears open for you at all times.