Mensa Otabil - Speak, Lord
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Eventually, Samuel gets instructions from Eli in 1 Samuel 3:9. Therefore, Eli said to Samuel, «Go, lie down, and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.'» Samuel went and lay down in his place. Eli gave clear guidance to Samuel concerning how to receive from God. By the third call, Eli is very sure that what is happening to the young Samuel is a divine calling, that God was now reaching out to this boy. He discerns it clearly and appropriately, and his instructions are very impressive and precise. He told Samuel precisely what he had to say to ready himself for the further revelation that God would give to him. From the way Eli gave the instructions, you get the impression that he knew the Lord and knew what to say when God was speaking to him. He says to Samuel, «When you hear this voice again, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.'»
There are three things I want to point out about that statement. The first is relationship: «Speak, Lord.» Samuel calls the one who is speaking to him «Lord.» He is supposed to acknowledge this person as his Lord and establish a relationship with Him. Not only «Lord,» but he also positions himself in relation to this person as servant. A Lord does not have a friend; a Lord must have a servant in this arrangement. So he says, «You are the Lord; I am your servant.» Just there, the relationship is established. Samuel now has a direct connection with God. He is now not just talking to Eli’s God; he’s talking to the Lord God Jehovah, and he is a servant of the Lord God Jehovah. That’s relationship.
The second thing to note is the request Samuel is supposed to make. He says, «Speak, Lord.» Samuel is supposed to ask God to speak to him. Isn’t it interesting? God is trying to talk to Samuel. This is the fourth time, and now Samuel says, «Speak, Lord.» In other words, as eager as God wants to speak to Samuel, unless Samuel reciprocates and makes a request from God, there will be no continuity. God will pursue us, but we must also pursue Him. God reaches out to us; we must reach out to Him. God is speaking to us; we must receive from Him. So he now makes a request to say, «Lord, I heard you the first time; continue speaking.» That’s the request. So there’s a relationship, there’s a request, then the third thing is readiness. He says, «Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.» Samuel is saying, «Lord, I’m ready. I have a relationship with You. I’m asking You to do this for me, and I’m ready for it.» At that time, the connection is made between the Lord God Almighty and the young boy who came to the temple as a present to God, who is now being matured into office as a national prophet of Israel. He makes a request to God, which God takes and responds to; a relationship is established, and he is ready.
So for everything God wants to do with us, we need to know Him personally. Don’t know Him through somebody else; He must be your Lord. Whatever you want from Him, ask Him for it. Even if He says, «I want to give it to you,» say, «Lord, You want to give it to me, but give it to me.» We must make a request, and thirdly, we must always be ready for the next move, the next thing that God wants to do with us.
Let’s pray together. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, I ask You today to speak to me, Lord, for Your servant hears.» In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen. I just love that prayer. May the Lord speak to you throughout the days of your life. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.