Verse of the Day 7/4

1 Samuel 3:9-10 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰ And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."  English Standard Version (ESV)

 Our Pastor Tim spoke yesterday from this passage and focused on the voice of God.  I had been reading on that subject over the past couple of days in my devotions.  Many of us would say that we long or yearn to hear the voice of God, but may not be very good at listening for Him or being aware of His promptings, especially in the "small" things.  If we are faithful in listening for and acting on the "still small voice" we'll likely be prompted for bigger things.

Today we celebrate Independence Day, which came about because many in our country's history listened to and acted upon their promptings for freedom.  It took courage, faith, character and hope but more than this the grace of God in many of their lives.

The words of the Wayne Watson song, "For Such a Time as This" comes to mind,

For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will, whatever it is

For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here and I am His
For such a time as this

If the Holy Spirit speaks to us, may we be listening, more than that may be "ready to listen", may we "hear and do" His will, whatever it is.  Be listening for it today and in "all the days He gives".

"Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen." The Message 

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Samuel 3:9-10The Message (MSG)

^8-9 God called again, "Samuel!"—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, "Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am."

That's when it dawned on Eli that God was calling the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, "Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, 'Speak,God. I'm your servant, ready to listen.'" Samuel returned to his bed.

¹⁰ Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen."