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Let the Little Children Come

Maybe you’ve heard the ancient Bible stories about how God spoke to his people in the past. Have you ever wondered if God still speaks to people today? Did you ever think that maybe God has spoken to you?

Well, a long time ago there was a boy named Samuel. Samuel lived in a time where God did not speak much, and even when he did, the people didn’t listen very often.

One night, as Samuel lay in bed, he thought he heard something. He thought he heard someone calling his name:

Samuel . . . Samuel . . .

The boy Samuel had no doubts about what he heard. So he got out of bed and went to his elder Eli and said, “Yes, Eli? You called me?”

Eli looked up at the boy. “No, Samuel. It is quite late and you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. Go back to bed.”

Samuel obeyed and did as he was told. He lied back down but not even a minute later he heard his name being called again:

Samuel . . . Samuel . . .

The boy Samuel thought for sure Eli was calling for him. So again he got out of bed and went to his elder. “What is it, Eli? Why did you call my name again?”

Eli wrinkled his forehead and tugged at his beard. “Hmmm . . . Samuel, my boy, I already told you that I haven’t called your name. Now if you get out of bed again, there is going to be discipline! No more guff!”

Samuel lowered his head, a bit confused. He turned around and did just as Eli told him and went back to bed.

He lay back down and not a single minute passed before he was called yet again:

Samuel . . . Samuel . . .

Samuel did not want to get in trouble, but he sensed in the voice that he had no choice but to listen. Sheepishly, he inched his way toward Eli. Keeping his head low and his eyes directed to the ground, he whispered, “Eli . . .”

He did not even need to say another word. Eli knew that this behavior was so unlike Samuel that something bigger was happening here. He knew at that moment that God himself was speaking into the heart of the young boy.

“Samuel, my dear child, I have not spoken your name at all. Our Father in heaven wishes you to speak with him. Go back to bed and if you hear the voice calling out to you again, simply answer, “Yes, my Lord. What is it you want of me?”

The boy Samuel was nearly shaking in reverence and fear. It was not that he was scared, but he sensed that something great—something new—was breaking into his life. He did exactly as Eli told him.

He lied back down in bed and sure enough, immediately the voice called out again:

Samuel . . .

Samuel was ready and he answered back right away, “Yes, my Lord. What is it you want of me?”

At that moment, God broke into the heart of the young boy Samuel and because he offered himself up, God was able to do many mighty things through him for the rest of his life.

Today is just like those days back in Bible times. God’s spirit is speaking and calling out the names of so many people. Unfortunately, just like in those times, many are too busy with other things to hear his voice. But God loves us—children especially—and he wants us to pay attention and listen to him. Just like Samuel, and Jeremiah, who was also only a young boy, and many others, you too are able to hear God’s voice and respond.