Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 (NLT)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41: 10 (NLT)

For the past several years our church has designated August as a special month of prayer. Obviously, it is not the beginning of the year, nor the end, however August is the eighth month of the year and holds great biblical significance. The number eight designates new beginnings! Oftentimes when we least expect it or have not yet recognized God’s perfect timing, we miss out!

Recently, one of our ministers shared a wonderful exhortation in our worship service from the story of Samuel and Eli found in I Samuel 3. Although Samuel was a young boy, the Lord was indeed calling him. But because Samuel had not yet had an “encounter” with the Lord he did not recognize His voice. Although God called out to him three times, Samuel did not answer the Lord until the fourth time He called. But this was only after Eli admonished Him to respond, “Speak Lord”! Samuel had only been accustomed to answering and following a human voice, but now the time had come for him to become familiar with the voice of God. This was the beginning of Samuel’s relationship with the Lord that began with him first learning how to hear from the Lord, and ultimately speaking for Him.

Too often we spend time in prayer talking so much that we do not give God time to respond. Hence, we do not allow ourselves the opportunity to become accustomed to God’s voice. We live in such a noisy world; it is often difficult to find a quiet place. Sometimes you must create your own specific, designated space so that you and God can communicate. One thing I have learned is God will not compete with other things that you deem priority. If you lean to your own understanding and rely on your intelligence to make decisions God will not interrupt your plan. There is nothing wrong with seeking wise counsel, but every decision, every move we make should ultimately be directed by God. I cannot guarantee when you determine you will listen for God’s voice you will receive the answers you want, exactly when you want them. But trust me, He will never ignore you. In His perfect timing, according to His will you will hear from God. God placed a huge assignment upon the shoulders of Samuel, and as a result of his obedience God equipped him to carry it out. He accepted the responsibility to perform as he was commanded. God’s voice may not be the ONLY voice you will hear but determine that God’s voice will be the FINAL voice you will listen to.

Source: First Lady Denise