One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!”
“Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did.
Then the Lord called out again, “Samuel!”
Again Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
“I didn’t call you, my son,” Eli said. “Go back to bed.”
Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?”
Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed.
And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!”
And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:2-10 (NLT)
This passage is probably familiar to many of us. We know it as when Samuel was called by God. But recently when I read it, something else popped out.
Samuel didn't recognize God's voice at first. Every time he heard it, he ran to Eli. He had to learn to recognize who was calling him. He had to figure out what God's voice sounded like.
I hear so many people say that God doesn't speak to them. And then others ask how you know it is God. First, I believe that God speaks to all of us but we often don't recognize His voice. And I believe that as you develop your relationship with God you will hear Him, learn when it is Him and when it is not and you will then recognize when He speaks.
Of course, it is not always so cut and dry but like Samuel, God will keep speaking. He will be patient and keep talking so you will learn when it is Him. Your job is to listen.