10 The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10 CSB)

In our scripture today God had called Samuel three times, this was the fourth. The previous times he thought Eli, whom he served, was calling. Samuel had never heard from the Lord so he was not expecting his call.

How often do we do the same. We receive a calling in our lives, a divine appointment, but we turn aside. We do not expect it so we do not recognize it when we are called.

We must be atuned to scripture and to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives to discern when God is calling upon us. Otherwise we turn aside and go on to other things that speak louder in our lives.

When called we must both recognize and be ready.