The Unknown GodSample

When God Calls and You Don’t Know It’s Him

There are moments in the spiritual life when God speaks… but we don’t recognize Him. Not because He doesn’t express Himself clearly, but because we haven’t yet learned to identify His voice. This is exactly what happened with Samuel. Scripture clearly describes his spiritual condition at that time: “And Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him” (1 Samuel 3:7, RVR1960).

This verse is profoundly revealing. Samuel lived in the temple, served in the temple, slept near the ark, yet he did not yet know God personally. His proximity to the spiritual environment did not equate to intimacy with the spiritual God. This confronts us because it is possible to be close to the things of God without yet being awakened to His voice.

God called Samuel by name. It was not a generic call; it was personal. However, Samuel interpreted God’s voice as Eli’s voice. He ran repeatedly to the priest thinking it was him calling. This reveals an important spiritual truth: when we do not know God’s voice, we tend to confuse it with human voices.

Many people today confuse God’s voice with the opinions of others, with their own conscience, with intense emotions, or even with external pressure. God is speaking, but the spiritual ear has not yet been trained. Lack of discernment does not mean rebellion, but spiritual immaturity.

The Bible says, “Now the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision” (1 Samuel 3:1, RVR1960). When revelation is scarce, people become accustomed to spiritual silence. Living without clear direction becomes normal. People survive with routines but without revelation. Samuel was born and grew up in that context. Yet, God did not stop speaking. He persisted. He called Samuel once, twice, and three times. This shows us God’s patience and grace. He never tires of calling, even when we don’t recognize Him at first. The problem is not that God doesn’t speak, but that often we don’t realize it’s Him calling.

The turning point comes when Eli, despite his own spiritual limitations, discerns that it is God who is calling the boy. He then gives a simple but powerful instruction: “Then 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” (1 Samuel 3:9, RVR1960).

Here begins a new stage in Samuel’s life. It was not a shout, nor a spectacular vision; it was a posture of the heart. God spoke when Samuel positioned himself correctly: in availability and obedience.

When Samuel responded, “Speak, for Your servant hears,” he stopped running after human voices and positioned himself to hear the divine voice. That moment marked the beginning of his prophetic calling. From there, God began to reveal Himself, to speak clearly, and to establish Samuel as His spokesperson.

Today invites us to reflect deeply:

• Am I confusing God’s voice with other voices?
• Am I serving without listening?
• Am I spiritually active but without revelation?

God is still calling today. He calls through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, and in intimacy. But only those who learn to recognize His voice can respond correctly.

Answer the Reflection Question

Could it be that God has already been calling you, but you haven’t recognized it yet because you don’t know His voice personally?

Pray

Lord, today I acknowledge that many times I have been close to You, yet not always attentive to Your voice. Forgive me if I have confused Your call with other voices. Teach me to listen, to discern, and to respond with obedience. I declare that my heart is willing and my spirit is attentive. Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears. Amen.