Three Words to Avoid

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the young man. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.

1 Samuel 3:7-11

Notice something beloved.  Three words are conspicuously absent from Samuel’s response.
  1. I
  2.  
  3. Why?
  4.  
  5. But!
Won’t even bore you with the sermon. 
Is G_d The Holy Spirit talking to us today?  Let’s try following Samuel’s example when He speaks.
When God speaks to you. 
Don’t answer: “why?” 
Answer: “what!”
Ralph Ritter

One Response

  1. Larry June 18, 2011