The Journey Podcast: Where do you find your identity and significance? Join me for an interview with former Major Leaguer Alex Presley on September 5 at ronmoore.org/podcasts.

Good communication requires speaking and listening. Those same two things are required when we talk with God. Unfortunately, many of us do all the talking and tell God exactly how he should handle things. But…maybe…we should spend some time listening to him.

1 Samuel 3:10
And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

In theology, it’s called anthropomorphism—a big word that simply means “ascribing human characteristics to God.” The all-powerful, eternal God reveals himself to us in his Word, in language we can grasp.

From our passage today, notice the way God explains how he communicates with his people:

• He came. Religion is man’s attempt to get to God. But the heavenly Father always comes to where we are. The Lord came to Samuel and called out to him.
• He stood. I love this picture! Standing shows God’s patience. The eternal God stands and waits for us to hear and respond.
• He speaks. We can hear the voice of the living God! Not audibly as Samuel did, but in our spirits through his Spirit. Sometimes, it is simply a gentle whisper.
• He calls our name. God communicates with us intimately and personally. He called Samuel by name. God knew Samuel and wanted to have a conversation with him.

We need to listen. Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” The more we listen, the more we will hear God’s voice!

Father, remind us that communication is a two-way street. Prayer—talking to you—is not us telling you our wish list. Communication is both speaking and listening. Help us say, like Samuel, “Speak, for your servant hears.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.