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Mensa Otabil - When God Calls


Mensa Otabil - When God Calls
TOPICS: Word to Go, Calling, Samuel

We’re looking at the call of Samuel and when God calls from 1 Samuel chapter 3, verses 3 and 4. Before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord, where the ark of God was, while Samuel was lying down, the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, «Here I am.» God called Samuel before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle, and the Bible notes this, which is an important detail because it tells us the time of day when God called Samuel. The practice in Israel at that time in the tabernacle was that by sunrise, the lamps would be turned off; therefore, the lamp is still on before it was turned off.

So, it’s probably sometime early dawn or late dawn that God appears to Samuel or speaks to Samuel. The Bible makes note of the time to reveal a very unique trait about Samuel: he was alert and watchful at a time when he should have been asleep. In the stillness of dawn, he was attentive enough to hear the whisper of his name. The passage states that God called Samuel while he was lying down, and it is important to note that it did not say he was asleep, but rather that he was lying down. Thus, he was reclining at dawn, but he was alert—possibly praying, talking to God, or perhaps silently meditating.

It was in a state of alertness at a time when he should be asleep that God called him, and this reveals something very important about Samuel’s spiritual sensitivity and physical awareness in life. The passage states that the Lord called Samuel; God mentioned his name. This is also an important detail, as God calls each one of us by name. He knows you by name, and He will not call you by a different name, nor will He give your calling to someone else. He calls each one of us individually, and we must remain alert at all times. Sometimes, people become weary waiting on God to do something for them. They say, «I’ve waited and waited, and nothing has happened.» They feel as if the lamp is about to go out—that it will be too late—and then God shows up.

That’s why we must always be prepared because just before the light is about to be turned off is when God shows up to speak to Samuel. God’s call to Samuel receives a response from Samuel, who replies, «Here I am.» I’ve noted this response many times in my studies; it was a standard reply. Abraham said, «Here I am.» Moses said, «Here I am.» Samuel says, «Here I am.» Interestingly, when all of them said, «Here I am,» God continued speaking to them. However, when Samuel says, «Here I am,» God is silent. In other words, you cannot always use someone else’s method for your own situation. You cannot say, «This is how God called Abraham and Moses, and that is how He will call me.» When God calls you, you must respond differently.

So, Samuel says, «Here I am,» and hears nothing; there is no voice speaking to him again, and he wonders what’s going on. God calls each of us separately, and one man’s response may not be ours. Effectively, you have to find how to respond to the calling God is giving you. When God calls, we respond. Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, I know You know me. You know my name, and You know where I am. I am ready for You, Lord. Speak to me. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.» Well, my friends, and Pastor Mensa Otabil, shalom, peace, and life to you.