One of the most beautiful stories in Scripture is the moment young Samuel hears God’s voice for the first time. It’s both mysterious and practical—a divine encounter that began in the stillness of night and was shaped by wise mentorship. Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice at first, and that gives hope to all of us. If even a prophet had to learn to hear God’s voice, then so can we.
Here are five secrets to hearing the voice of God, drawn from Samuel’s experience and echoed throughout Scripture.
1. Be in the Right Place
Samuel was in the temple, sleeping near the Ark of God. He was close to the presence of the Lord, even before he recognized it. There’s something powerful about being in the right environment—one that honors God’s presence. That could be your quiet time space, your church community, or simply a posture of heart that says, “Here I am, Lord.”
Where you place yourself matters.
“The Lord called Samuel.” (1 Samuel 3:4)
2. Be Willing to Learn
Samuel didn’t yet know the Lord personally—yet. He was teachable and humble, and when Eli gave him direction, he obeyed it without hesitation. Sometimes, God speaks through the mentors in our lives before we ever hear His direct voice.
Who are the Elis in your life? Stay open to correction and counsel.
“Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before.” (1 Samuel 3:7)
3. Listen More Than You Speak
Eli’s advice was simple and profound: “If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” The posture of a servant is one of attention and surrender. Not “Lord, here’s what I need” but “Lord, I’m listening.”
God often speaks in a still, small voice—and we need still, quiet hearts to hear it.
“Speak, your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
4. Be Ready for Obedience
Samuel wasn’t just hearing for the sake of hearing. The message he received from God was heavy, even hard. Yet he delivered it with faithfulness. Hearing God’s voice leads to action. God doesn’t speak just to fill the silence—He speaks to call, guide, correct, and commission.
If you want to hear God’s voice, be ready to obey what He says.
5. Grow in Hearing Over Time
Samuel’s prophetic ministry began that night, but it matured over years. The Bible says that “as Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.” (1 Samuel 3:19) Hearing God is a skill that develops with time, Scripture, prayer, and relationship.
Hearing leads to knowing—and knowing leads to confidence.
Final Thoughts
We often crave a dramatic word from heaven, but more often, God speaks in the quiet moments of devotion, the gentle whispers in our spirit, and the confirmations through His Word and godly counsel.
Like Samuel, we can say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Let’s position ourselves near His presence, stay teachable, quiet our hearts, obey what we hear, and keep growing.
He’s still speaking. Are you listening?
