Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the
vision. —1 Samuel 3:15
God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but
in ways that are easy to misunderstand. Then we say, “I wonder if that is God’s
voice?” Isaiah said that the Lord spoke to him “with a strong hand,” that is,
by the pressure of his circumstances (Isaiah 8:11). Without the sovereign hand
of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or
do we see things as mere occurrences?
Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,”
and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press
in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen. Chastening is more than
a means of discipline— it is meant to bring me to the point of saying, “Speak,
Lord.” Think back to a time when God spoke to you. Do you remember what He
said? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we
listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all
the time.
Should I tell my “Eli” what God has shown to
me? This is where the dilemma of obedience hits us. We disobey God by becoming
amateur providences and thinking, “I must shield ‘Eli,’ ” who represents the
best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli— he had to decide that
for himself. God’s message to you may hurt your “Eli,” but trying to prevent
suffering in another’s life will prove to be an obstruction between your soul
and God. It is at your own risk that you prevent someone’s right hand being cut
off or right eye being plucked out (see Matthew 5:29-30).
Never ask another person’s advice about
anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost
always side with Satan. “…I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood…” (Galatians
1:16).
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