When young Samuel was awakened in the night by the voice of God his response was,” “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” This young man had grown up in the temple. He had heard the Word of God preached and taught. He probably knew as much about God as most adults. Yet he had no preconceived ideas about what God was going to say. He woke that night anxiously waiting to hear something new from God.

A lot of people today have it all wrong. Instead of saying, “ Speak Lord, your servant is listening” they say, “Listen, Lord, your servant is speaking”. People often read the Word of God, not with an open heart but with a personal agenda. They don’t want to hear what God has to say. They want God to say what they wish to hear.

The truth is many people read and learn Scripture, not to please God but to manipulate God. Some people read the Bible looking for passages they can use to support their twisted ideas of righteousness. They foolishly cherry-pick Scripture verses that suit them. Like Satan, they can quote the Bible but they have no relationship with the Author of the Bible.

I remember hearing an old preacher say, “If you are reading the Bible to learn about God, Stop it!” This old preacher was teaching that we should not read scripture to learn about God, instead, we should read His Word to rest in His presence. Like the Disciple whom Jesus loved, we should lean on His breast and listen to His heart. If we wish to experience God’s love, we will open our Bibles and say, “Speak Lord your servant is listening”.

Douglas Huff

From Down Where The Pavement Ends

Email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com