It is possible to be surrounded by the things of God—attending church, joining Bible studies, and being in the company of believers—yet still not truly hear God’s voice for yourself. Samuel was in the temple, serving faithfully, but he had not yet learned to recognize the Lord’s voice. This teaches us that spiritual growth is not about mere presence or proximity, but about cultivating a personal relationship where we can discern God’s voice in our own lives. Don’t settle for simply being around God; seek to know Him intimately and hear Him directly. [10:38]
1 Samuel 3:1-7 (ESV)
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
Reflection: In what area of your life have you mistaken being “around” God for truly knowing Him? What is one step you can take today to move from proximity to intimacy with God?
God often chooses to speak to us in ways that are familiar, using the voices of trusted mentors, family, or friends to get our attention. Samuel initially mistook God’s voice for Eli’s, showing that God sometimes uses the people we trust to guide us toward His will. However, the goal is not to remain dependent on others to hear from God, but to learn to recognize when it is truly God speaking. Surrounding yourself with godly influences can help you discern His voice, but ultimately, God desires a direct relationship with you. [14:39]
1 Samuel 3:8-10 (ESV)
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 boy. 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.”
Reflection: Who are the trusted voices in your life that God may be using to speak to you? How can you intentionally listen for God’s voice through them, while also seeking to hear Him directly?
God’s purposes are not limited by human imperfection. Eli, though flawed and having made mistakes with his own family, was still used by God to guide Samuel toward hearing God’s voice. This is a reminder that God can use anyone—regardless of their past or shortcomings—to accomplish His perfect will. You may feel unworthy or inadequate, but God delights in using imperfect vessels to bless others and point them toward Him. [23:35]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Reflection: Is there an area where you feel too imperfect or unqualified to be used by God? How might God want to use your story or your presence to help someone else hear from Him?
Hearing God’s voice is not a passive experience; it requires a response. Samuel had to take action by saying, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening,” signaling his readiness to receive from God. In the same way, faith is activated when we step out in obedience, opening ourselves to what God wants to say and do in our lives. God often waits for us to respond before revealing the next step, so don’t be afraid to say yes and move forward in faith. [27:56]
James 2:17 (ESV)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Reflection: What is one area where you sense God prompting you to take a step of faith? What action can you take today to show God you are ready to listen and obey?
In the quiet moments—when distractions are set aside and we are still before God—His voice becomes clearer. Samuel heard God in the stillness of the night, reminding us that silence is not the absence of God, but often the setting for His clearest communication. Make space for stillness in your life, trusting that God will speak when you quiet your heart and listen. [34:36]
Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Reflection: When can you set aside intentional time for stillness and quiet with God this week? How might creating space for silence help you better hear His voice?
Today’s study explored the story of Samuel and the journey of learning to hear God’s voice. Samuel’s life began as an answer to prayer—his mother Hannah’s deep longing and dedication led to his birth and his early years spent in the temple. Yet, even while living in the very presence of God, Samuel did not immediately recognize God’s voice. This highlights a crucial truth: proximity to spiritual things does not guarantee intimacy with God. Being in the right place, even serving faithfully, is not the same as truly hearing from God for oneself.
Samuel’s experience teaches that God often speaks in ways that are familiar to us. When Samuel first heard God’s call, he mistook it for Eli’s voice. This is a reminder that God uses trusted relationships and familiar voices to reach us, especially in our early spiritual development. The people we surround ourselves with matter greatly; they can either help us discern God’s voice or distract us from it. Eli, though imperfect, played a vital role in guiding Samuel to recognize and respond to God directly. This underscores the responsibility each of us has to help others cultivate their own relationship with God, rather than making ourselves the sole channel of spiritual insight.
Another key lesson is that hearing God’s voice requires a response. Samuel’s journey moved from confusion to clarity when he finally said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Faith is activated not just by hearing, but by stepping forward in obedience and openness. Sometimes, God’s voice comes repeatedly, waiting for us to be ready to respond. The more we cultivate God’s Word and learn from the experiences of others, the quicker we can recognize and respond to His leading.
Stillness and intentional quietness are also essential. Samuel heard God in the stillness of the night, reminding us that clarity often comes when we quiet our hearts and make space for God to speak. Silence from God is not absence; His hand may be on us even when we do not hear Him clearly. The goal is not just to be near God, but to seek a personal encounter and direct relationship with Him. As we do, we are prepared for the next steps God has for us, and we become instruments to help others do the same.
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (ESV) —
> 1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
> 2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place.
> 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
> 4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!”
> 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
> 6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”
> 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
> 8 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 boy.
> 9 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.
> 10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”
Add this chatbot onto your site with the embed code below
<iframe frameborder="0" src="https://pastors.ai/sermonWidget/sermon/hearing-gods-voice-from-proximity-to-intimacy" width="100%" height="100%" style="height:100vh;"></iframe>Copy