“Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.”

Amos 3: 7

Hebrews 1God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

The Patriarchs• Adam (Genesis 3:8)• Enoch who walked with God (Genesis 5:21-24)• Noah (Genesis 6:9)• Abraham…. called the friend of God

(James 2:23)• Moses

I Samuel 3:1-201 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. 2It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), 3 and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where

the ark of God was,

4 that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am." 5 Then he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, lie down again." So he went and lay down. 6 The LORD called yet again, "Samuel!" So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he answered, "I did not call, my son, lie down again." 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him.

8 So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 And Eli said to Samuel, "Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, 'Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And

Samuel said, "Speak, for Your servant is listening."

11 The LORD said to Samuel, "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12"In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13"For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. 14 "Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or

offering forever."

15 So Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the house of the LORD But Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 Then Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." And he said, "Here I am." 17 He said, "What is the word that He spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. May God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the words that He spoke to you."

18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him." 19 Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. 20 All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.

“Now the boy Samuel…..”• 12 years old ----- a “son of the law” • “And a word from the Lord……”• Literally: The Word of the Lord was

precious…..• Samuel became “an overnight sensation” and was “renown” as a prophet from this time forward.

Key to Hearing From God

Key to Hearing From God1.(verse 3) “…..where the ark of God was,” (i.e. the presence of the Lord)2.(verse 4) “Here I am.” (Don’t hide)3.(verse 5) “…he ran to Eli….” (eager to serve -- eager to please)4.(verse 7) “Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord,”

Key to Hearing From God•(verse 10) “Speak, for your servant is listening.”•(verse 10) “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

5. (verse 10) “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (i.e. listening and expecting )• Literally the phrase means: to listen or hear with a view to obey.6. (verse 15) “So Samuel lay down …… he opened the doors of the house of the Lord.” • Samuel continued to serve and be faithful

• (verses 16-18) “So Samuel told him………..”• (verses 16-18) “So Samuel told him………..”• (verses 16-18) “So Samuel told him………..”• (verses 16-18) “So Samuel told him………..”• (verses 16-18) “So Samuel told him………..”• (verses 16-18) “So Samuel told him………..”

7. (v. 16-18) “So Samuel told him…”• Samuel passed his first test as a

prophet…..he said exactly what God had said.

8. (v. 19-20) “Thus Samuel grew and……”• Samuel continued to serve and have

a teachable spirit.• All Israel knew that Samuel was

confirmed as a prophet

It is the Lord who needs to confirm His Word and us. If we try to do it ourselves (in our own strength and wisdom) we are headed for disaster and failure!

Our PrayerLord, give us:•  Eyes to see where You are working. • Ears to hear what You are saying and what You want us to do. • And a Heart that is eager to obey.