And Word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent (I Samuel 3:1). A sobering thought, isn't it? It was a somewhat quiet time in Israel, not too much going on, for good or ill. The silence of God, however, can depict a problem on the listening end of things; not always mind you, but it can indicate slothfulness in obedience and laziness in zeal for God.

In Israel's case the silence of God indicated a time of inner rebellion and what came to be a crying out to have a king like all the other kingdoms had. God wasn't enough for them. They wanted a king and a palace and all the trappings of a monarchy. God will give them that for which they seek, but in preparation for it, He comes into the story one quiet night and speaks; speaks of all things to a young child, a boy by the name of Samuel.

Three times, Samuel heard the voice but didn't know it was God's voice. Finally, his mentor, Eli, discerned that it must be God's voice, and he counseled the child to listen carefully again and that, if the voice should call him again, he should say, "Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening" (I Sam. 3:9).

And, that's what Samuel did. He said, "Speak, for Your servant is listening." That response opened the door for God to use Samuel for the rest of his life in wonderful and astounding ways. He anointed Saul as Israel's first king. When Saul forfeited his kingship because of rebellion, Samuel was the one who saw in David the man of God's choosing to be the next king, the king through whom the Messiah would eventually come.

It was when the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord that God entered into the story and called him. May God help us to be caught up in ministering and living for God so that in our day should he choose to call our name we will hear His voice and say from our heart of hearts, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening."