Listening for God's Call: Faithfulness and Obedience

Every person is created in the image of God and, through Christ, is given a unique calling and purpose in this world. Life is not just for career missionaries or ministers; every believer is left on earth for a reason after coming to faith. Sometimes, discerning God’s specific call can be confusing, especially for young people or those in seasons of transition. Yet, God’s guidance is not reserved for a select few—He desires to speak to each of us, just as He called Samuel by name.

The story of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 offers a pattern for understanding and responding to God’s call. Samuel, even before he heard God’s voice, was faithfully serving in the temple, doing the simple tasks given to him. This faithfulness in the basics—seeking God, being involved in the life of the church, loving others, and immersing ourselves in Scripture—prepares our hearts to hear when God does speak. Too often, people overlook these foundational practices, longing for a dramatic word from God, but it is in the ordinary acts of obedience that we become attuned to His voice.

Listening for God’s voice requires earnest expectation. God is personal; He calls us by name and desires a relationship with us. While He may speak through various means—friends, music, even nature—His Word remains the surest guide. We must approach Scripture not as a mere historical record, but as the living, breathing Word through which the Spirit still speaks. Praying, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening,” positions us to receive His direction.

Obedience to God’s call is often challenging. Samuel’s first message from God was difficult, yet he delivered it faithfully. God does not call us to comfort, but to trust and obey, even when the task is hard or unpopular. Our responsibility is not to alter or soften God’s truth, but to humbly and courageously proclaim and live it.

Finally, the journey of calling is cyclical and ongoing. Like Samuel, we are to persevere—faithfully doing what we know, listening for God’s voice, obeying, and repeating the cycle. God’s call is not a tightrope; His mercy is new every morning, and He continues to invite us into His purposes, no matter how many times we may have missed it before. Seek Him, listen, obey, and persevere—He will use you for His glory.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faithfulness in the Basics Prepares Us for God’s Call Before Samuel ever heard God’s voice, he was faithfully serving in the temple, doing the simple tasks assigned to him. In the same way, consistently seeking God, participating in the life of the church, loving others, and immersing ourselves in Scripture are not optional extras but the very foundation for hearing from God. These practices train our spiritual ears and hearts, making us ready to discern His specific direction when it comes. [52:13]
• 2. God’s Call Is Personal and Relational God does not issue generic commands from a distance; He calls us by name, desiring a relationship with each of us. The Creator of the universe is intimately involved in our lives, caring about our unique circumstances and inviting us into His work. Our role is to respond to His initiative, recognizing that it is always God who calls first, and we are simply to answer. [57:12]
• 3. Scripture Is the Surest Guide for Hearing God’s Voice While God may speak through various means—friends, music, or even nature—His Word remains the most reliable way to discern His will. Approaching the Bible with expectation, believing that the Spirit who inspired it still illumines it today, transforms our reading from a mere academic exercise into a living encounter with God. Praying, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening,” opens us to fresh revelation and guidance. [60:22]
• 4. Obedience May Be Costly, but It Is Essential Hearing God’s voice is only the beginning; true faith is demonstrated in humble obedience, even when the task is difficult or unpopular. Samuel’s first assignment was to deliver a hard message, reminding us that God’s call often stretches us beyond our comfort zones. Our responsibility is not to edit or soften God’s truth, but to faithfully proclaim and live it, trusting that God’s ways are always good, even when they are hard. [63:21]
• 5. Perseverance in the Cycle of Calling Leads to Fruitfulness The journey of calling is not a one-time event but a continual cycle: faithfully doing what we know, listening for God’s voice, obeying, and repeating. Perseverance means remaining steadfast in each season, trusting that God’s purposes unfold over time. Even when we feel we have missed opportunities or wasted time, God’s mercy renews us, and He continues to invite us into His plans—so we must not grow weary in seeking, listening, and obeying.
  
  ** [67:11]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [44:12] - Celebrating God’s Work at William Carey
• [44:32] - The Universal Call of God
• [45:11] - Personal Testimony: Responding to God’s Call
• [45:55] - Wrestling with Calling and Fear
• [46:52] - The Role of Community in Discerning Calling
• [47:58] - Introducing 1 Samuel 3: Samuel’s Story
• [48:25] - Samuel’s Faithfulness Before Hearing God
• [49:40] - Samuel’s Encounter with God’s Voice
• [50:22] - The Weight of God’s Message
• [52:02] - Four Steps to Knowing and Doing God’s Will
• [53:00] - The Importance of Spiritual Basics
• [56:03] - Listening Earnestly for God’s Voice
• [57:12] - The Personal Nature of God’s Call
• [58:54] - The Role of Scripture in Hearing God
• [61:59] - Obeying God’s Difficult Commands
• [67:11] - Persevering in God’s Calling
• [72:07] - God’s Mercy and Renewed Purpose
• [73:46] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 3:1-21 (ESV) —
> Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the Lord under 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.
>
> 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 young man. 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.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
>
> Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”
>
> And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Observation Questions

1. What was Samuel doing before he ever heard God’s voice, and why is this detail important in the story? ([48:25])
2. How many times did God call Samuel before Samuel realized it was the Lord, and who helped him understand what was happening? ([49:19])
3. What was the first message God gave Samuel to deliver, and how did Samuel feel about sharing it? ([50:22])
4. According to the sermon, what are some of the “basic” things all believers are called to do while waiting for God’s specific direction? ([53:21])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to speak to Samuel while he was faithfully serving in the temple, even before Samuel knew the Lord personally? ([52:13])
2. The sermon says that God’s call is personal and relational. What does it mean that God calls us by name, and how does this shape our understanding of His character? ([57:12])
3. The pastor mentioned that God’s Word is the surest guide for hearing His voice, even though God can speak through other means. Why is Scripture so important in discerning God’s will? ([01:00:22])
4. Samuel’s first act of obedience was to deliver a hard message. What does this teach us about the nature of obedience to God’s call, especially when it is uncomfortable or unpopular? ([01:03:21])

Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized “faithfulness in the basics” like seeking God, being involved in church, loving others, and reading Scripture. Which of these basics do you find most challenging right now, and what is one step you could take this week to grow in that area? ([53:21])
2. Samuel responded, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” When was the last time you intentionally prayed this way, expecting God to speak? What would it look like to make this a regular part of your prayer life? ([56:43])
3. The pastor shared that God’s call is not just for “career missionaries or ministers,” but for every believer. In your current season of life, what do you sense God might be calling you to do, even if it seems small or ordinary? ([44:32])
4. Obedience to God’s call can be costly or uncomfortable, as it was for Samuel. Is there something you feel God is asking you to do that you’ve been hesitant to obey? What is holding you back, and how can the group pray for you? ([01:03:21])
5. The sermon described the journey of calling as a cycle: doing what you know, listening, obeying, and persevering. Where do you find yourself in this cycle right now? Is there a step you need to revisit or focus on? ([01:07:11])
6. The pastor said God’s mercy is new every morning and that it’s never too late to respond to His call. Have you ever felt like you “missed” God’s purpose for you? How does the truth of God’s ongoing mercy encourage you today? ([01:12:50])
7. The message highlighted the importance of community in discerning God’s call (Eli helped Samuel recognize God’s voice). Who in your life helps you listen for God’s direction, and how can you invite others to walk with you in this process? ([49:19])