Here, I am. Speak, for your servant is listening.

As I was preparing for this devotional on wisdom, the story that kept coming to mind was the story of Samuel. In 1 Samuel 3, we see that Samuel was a young boy, and during that time, it was rare to hear from the Lord. Because of his age and inexperience, Samuel did not yet know the Lord personally. Though he was ministering before the Lord, he had not yet heard His voice, as the Word of the Lord had not been revealed to him, as this is confirmed in verse 7.

We see the Lord call out to Samuel in a bold voice, calling him by name. Samuel responded, “Here I am.” But the Lord didn’t call him just once; He did it three times before the truth of the calling was revealed.

“Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again, the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:4-10). 

This is where we see Samuel walking in wisdom, even at a young age, and before he fully understood what was happening. He didn’t yet recognize the Lord’s voice, but he still responded with humility, trust, and obedience.

Samuel’s wisdom came from his willingness to listen to his spiritual mentor and obey the Lord's call right away. He didn’t hesitate. Instead, he got up and ran, thinking Eli was calling him. Imagine being woken up in the middle of the night, in the dark, and still responding immediately. That alone shows a posture of obedience. And once he understood it was the Lord calling, Samuel followed through just as Eli had instructed. He said, “Speak, for your servant is listening,” and the Lord spoke.

Samuel's obedience was his first step in walking in wisdom. Wisdom isn’t about knowing all the right words or having all the answers. Walking in wisdom means saying “yes” to the Lord and being obedient to His voice. True wisdom is carrying out what the Lord has asked us to do even when we feel unsure, judged, overwhelmed, or worried.

I hope we can all learn from Samuel’s example: that wisdom comes directly from the Lord.

We may not always hear the Lord as audibly as Samuel did, but we can still lean in through prayer, worship, journaling, writing, and reading the Word. May we ask for wisdom like Solomon once prayed for, and walk in wisdom like Samuel did—by being obedient to the Lord’s calling without hesitation or doubt.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, my prayer is that we, as women of God and children of God, walk in wisdom in all capacities. Lord, forgive us when we doubt. Forgive us when we hesitate. Forgive us when our thoughts tell us otherwise. Lord, we want to be women of wisdom. We want to carry out the purpose and plans you have for us, Lord. I pray that we put aside our fleshly desires to walk in accordance with the Spirit of the Lord. I pray this in your beautiful name. Amen.