Many Hear God’s Voice, Few Are Listening to the Lord
- meetgodattheedgeof
- May 11
- 3 min read
1 Samuel 3:8-10
[8] So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. [9] So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed. [10] And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
I'm so blessed to be rereading the book of Samuel again. It always hits home no matter how many times I go through it. The part where he hears the Lord and learns how to reply is so inspiring to me. It made me remember when my parents were always getting after me about the difference between hearing and listening.
Hearing is something we can’t control — it happens automatically. When we hear a noise, our ears pick it up and send that signal straight to our brain with no decisions on our part.
Listening is different. It’s an active process of focusing, interpreting, and really understanding what’s being said.
This is what the Lord expects of us. This is what gets us moving and helps us follow His direction. I’m afraid to say it, but most of us hear the Lord while very few of us are truly listening to the Lord.
“When I heard Him, He said to give my money away… that can’t be right because I need it!”
“I heard Him calling me into a deeper devotion time with Him, but I need to finish my special prayer and meditation area before I can really get there.”
Hearing the Lord without listening is like being called to do something but allowing our own understanding to keep us from taking action, just like the examples above.
But listening to the Lord is different. It’s about understanding, interpreting, and responding with action to the Lord’s message specifically for you. We read that when Samuel received the message from the Lord, he understood what he needed to do, and despite the fear of what the Lord told him to say, he obeyed and spoke.
If the Lord is calling you into something new, the correct response is always to listen.
There isn’t a “perfect” time to answer a call from God. When He calls you to make a change, take that first step. It’s important to point out that what we need to understand is what God has asked us to do right now, not the entire plan.
If He says move, we move.
If He says stay here and wait, we wait.
If He says give Me more of you, we give Him our best.
Waiting to obey because we don’t fully understand is still disobedience. Listening to the Lord means trusting Him enough to take the next step even when we cannot see the full picture yet.
Be bold and courageous!
Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen.
Joshua 1:8-9
[8] Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. [9] This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
