They are three things we all need. No, the three R’s are NOT “Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic”. No, the three R’s are NOT “Reuse, Reduce and Recycle”.
They are “Recognition, Response and Readiness”. They are the three things Samuel exhibited in his very first interaction with God.
Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. 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 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.
And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.”
Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel. 1 Samuel 3:7-11 (NLT)
God called Samuel two times prior to these verses, but he did not realize it was God. It took the experienced heart and mind of Eli to help Samuel recognize the voice of God. After that recognition, Samuel responded to God with a heart and mind open and ready to hear what God had for him. Then, and only then, did God reveal His plans to Samuel.
I think we all need to remember these three things. Can we recognize the voice of God via His Word, His creation or His people? If not, who can we find to help us discern it? Once we recognize it, do we take the time to respond back to Him? Do we respond with a readiness to act on what He says? Really?
