In 1 Samuel chapter 3, the child Samuel (son of Hannah and future prophet of Israel) hears what he believes is Eli the priest calling to him in the night. Twice he comes to Eli, and twice Eli sends him away. The third time, Eli recognizes that something is happening; it is the Lord who is calling Samuel. He tells Samuel how to reply: “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’ ” 1 Samuel 3:9a Samuel did as he was told and received a vision, message and revelation from the Lord Himself.
In his child-like faith, Samuel took Eli at his word and obeyed his instruction, listened for the Lord again, and without justifying or reasoning away the call, he responded, as we should, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10b
Sometimes the Lord calls to us in the night but we may not recognize the sound. We tell ourselves that we are just awakening because of our sleep cycle, we need a drink of water, etc, but it could be that the Lord Himself is calling to us to read His Word or pray, or perhaps He just wants to sit a while with us when we are not distracted.
The next time you awake in the middle of the night, respond to the Lord as Samuel did: “Speak, for Your servant hears.” You may be amazed by a revelation He shares with you or the sweet intimate time you share with Him.
–Katie Botello
