LISTEN BEFORE YOU SPEAK

LISTEN BEFORE YOU SPEAK 

"Speak; for Thy servant hears" 1 Sam. 3:10

These were the words in, which Samuel yielded himself to God, for the reception of His word, on behalf of Israel. The boy, dedicated to the service of God before his birth, and having ministered to Jehovah simply and naturally by serving Eli, was now brought into a CLOSER RELATION with Jehovah. He was still very young Josephus says about 12 years of age. That was the age at which the Hebrew boy came to be a son of the Law, that is, began to be DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE. At this juncture God spoke to him and instructed by Eli, he answered the call, and thus submitted himself of his own will to God. Thus yielded, he became the INSTRUMENT of Divine action in a remarkable way, for, like Moses, he was not judge only, he was prophet and priest. Simple as these words are, they reveal the one true attitude of those who are called of God to deliver His word to men. That attitude must always be that of the WHOLLY-SURRENDERED LIFE, and that of waiting to hear the word of God. Too often we fail because we do not listen before we speak. With all best intentions we attempt to interpret the will of God by a general knowledge, and the observation of the circumstances of the hour. It is always a mistake. God still WAITS TO SPEAK to those through whom He would make known His will; and it is for them TO WAIT until His revelation comes. Only thus can there be anything like AUTHORITY IN THE MESSAGE DELIVERED.