Jesus promises that, just like sheep learn to recognise the voice of their shepherd, it's possible for His followers to recognise His voice. Unfortunately, our culture is built to miss God’s whispers - we can’t hear because of all of the noise. How can we carve out the time needed to learn to recognise the sound of His voice, and make space in our lives to hear God speak?
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
(John 16:7)
The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
(Acts 8:29)
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
(Acts 10:19-20)
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
(Acts 20:22)
But the one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
(John 10:2-4)
The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 1Meanwhile, the boy Samuel served the LORD by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the LORD were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed.
The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God.
Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." Suddenly the LORD called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?”
And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. 5He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.
Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." Then the LORD called out again, “Samuel!” Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before.
A third time the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 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.
So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 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.
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
And the LORD said to Samuel...
(1 Samuel 3:1-11)
