Day 12

“Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision.” (1 Samuel 3:15 NKJV)

God never speaks to us in dramatic ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand. Then we say, “I wonder if that is God’s voice?” We always need more.

ISAIAH SAID that the Lord spoke to him “with a strong hand,” that is, because of worldly cultural influences around him (Is. 8:11 NKJV). Without the infinite supreme hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or do we see things as trivial occurrences? Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (I Sam. 3:9 NKJV). Every time circumstances push back on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and determine to make time to listen. Restraining ourselves is more than a means of discipline—it encourages us to focus on the Holy Spirit, “Speaking.” Think back to a time when the Holy Spirit spoke to you. Do you remember what He said? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1 Thessalonians 5:23? As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Christ, we will hear God all the time. Should I tell my “Eli” what God has shown to me? This is where the struggle of obedience hits us. We disobey God when we arrogantly attempt to manage God and intervene by thinking, “I must shield ‘Eli,’ ” who represents the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli—he had to decide that for himself. God’s message to you may hurt your “Eli,” but trying to prevent suffering in another’s life will prove to be an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own risk that you prevent someone’s right hand being cut off or right eye being plucked out (see Matt. 5:29–30 NKJV). Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask for advice, you will almost always side with Satan.“I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood” (Gal. 1:16 NKJV).” Counsel is critical in all of our lives but as we develop in our relationship with the Holy Spirit, He expects us to choose in the moment, in His Spirit, as Christ, to say what we hear and do what we see.