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Waiting for an Important Call

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it comes to prayer and fasting, we would like to have a direct line to God, instead prayer at times seem to be a one-way street. We do the talking and God doesn’t say a whole lot.

In 1 Samuel 3:1-21 God is speaking to Eli through Samuel. God most often speaks directly to the person to whom He wants to get a message. In this case Eli the priest had stopped listening to God because he didn’t like what God was asking him to do.

 

Today we get the bulk of what we need to hear from God from the Bible. However, there are times when you need specific instruction about your situation that is not in the Bible. Example: Suppose you want to know if you should marry Susie. You look all thru the Bible and can’t find her name anywhere. How do I know what God’s will in situations like that?

 

God does lead us in the specific area, but he never conflicts His reveal will in the Bible. To hear his specific instruction from Samuel's experience the pastor made these three points.

 
    - I must maintain close proximity  - “If you’re gonna hear – you’ve gotta be near.”
    - I must work on my priorities -  who will rule you or Him. 
    - I must give God permission to speak to me - trust Him to substitute something far greater.

 

 

 

 

Series: - Meet Me on the Mountain – Part 8
Waiting for an Important Call
John 10:25 - 30

 

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NIV

 

I. To Hear From God I Must Maintain Close Proximity

 

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. Samuel answered, ’Here I am.’" I Samuel 3:3-4 NIV

Nearness to God is critical to hear Him speak.

 

“If you’re gonna hear – you’ve gotta be near.”

 

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. James 4:8NIV

 

If you know yet take His will lightly and follow it carelessly, then why would God want to share other things with you?

II. To Hear From God I Must Work On My Priorities

The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ’Here I am; you called me.’ Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, ’Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. I Samuel 3:8-9 NIV

Listening and obeying God is not always convenient.

The issue becomes who will rule you or Him. It is a matter of priority.

 

III. To Hear From God I Must Give God Permission to Speak To Me

Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ … 1 Samuel 3:9.

 

Eli’s advice was to give God permission to speak.

“Prayer is an invitation to God to intervene in our lives, to let His will prevail in our affairs” Abraham Joshua Heschel

 

If all your prayer life is about asking for things, then you don’t understand the real purpose of prayer and fasting.

”Prayer is not using God; it is more often to get us in a position where God can use us.” Billy Graham

 

We sometime pray for things that God knows will not be in our best interests.

Learn to say with Christ, “Not my will; but Thine be done.” Luke 22:42b