Today my Bible reading was in Samuel. It was the story of God calling him, speaking to him even in a “in those days messages from the Lord were very rare” (Samuel 3:1) time. At first Samuel didn’t know his Lord’s voice. But God continued to call until Samuel answered, then He gave him clear instructions what to do next.

There have been times, since I was very young, that I heard God’s voice, not aloud, but in my heart. It seems that it is harder for me to hear Him now. I know there are times when God simply doesn’t speak to us. Times when He is quiet. The Holy Spirit is always there to direct us, and we always have the Bible to guide us, but there are times when we don’t hear God’s voice because, perhaps, He has just backed away a bit.

The best teachers give instructions then back away and let their students wrestle with a problem until they solve the challenge that was given them. When a student is able to find an answer on his own he is unlikely to forget it later. But the teacher never leaves the classroom. She is still there, sometimes only putting her hand on a shoulder to encourage, sometimes watching from the other side of the room… but always there.

That’s how I picture the quieter times when I’m not hearing God’s voice. I know He is still near, ready to step in, but waiting for me to find my way so my faith can grow stronger, and I won’t forget the lesson.

Father,

Thank You for always being there. Help me be a listener. Help me hear your voice, even when You whisper, and find my way even when I don’t feel you near.