354. Samuel

“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.” 1 Sam. 3:1.

It is the same today as it was then: The Word of the Lord is rare. The preaching for the most part only leads people to ask for the forgiveness of sins. You could also receive that in the old covenant; but the Word of God, the Word which is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart continues to be rare. Heb. 4:12. Why is this? Because it is not preached; paid preachers work against it with all the strength they can muster because it substantially reduces the size of the congregation.

God called Samuel three times before he realized that it was God who was speaking to him. Each time he ran to Eli, but that did not help. Then Samuel said, “Speak Lord, for Your servant hears.”

The same thing happens today when the Lord speaks. People run to an old backslidden Eli and ask whether they are listening to the right voice. Then they meet preachers, who most likely are far worse than Eli, who tell them that it is Satan who is speaking to them.

I want to urgently entreat every upright soul to be independent and listen to Him Who speaks from heaven instead of running around asking if what they hear is right or not. Couple that voice with the Scriptures, and you will not go astray. Those who hear become prophets, because the testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophesy. Rev. 19:10. And we are all called to the testimony of Christ.

Say like Samuel, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.”