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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