Do you hear Him, friend?

"Is this when You're speaking, interrupting me unexpectedly? Is this when You want me to be quiet because right now, You're speaking?"

These lyrics come from a song I actually wrote during my longest sleepless phase. And gratefully, I knew by then that God likes to speak at night…

friend, have you read the story of Samuel and Eli? This story in the Bible also took place in the middle of the night. Eli had gone to bed, and Samuel was also sleeping. "Suddenly the LORD called out, 'Samuel!' 'Yes?' Samuel replied. 'What is it?' He got up and ran to Eli. 'Here I am. Did you call me?'..." (1 Samuel 3:4-5, NLT) 

I don't know if I would've jumped out of bed that quickly if Eli had called me. It's probably more likely that I would've said, "Please let me sleep!" :-)

But that's exactly what made the difference for Samuel, friend! This scene was repeated several times in a row, and Samuel was quick to answer each time. Then when he knew it was God calling out to him, he said, "...'Speak, Your servant is listening.'" (1 Samuel 3:10, NLT)! 

God then responded and told Samuel something that He'd actually told Eli before. However, Eli didn't have an open ear for it, and therefore, God's Word wasn't put into action. But Samuel heard and acted, and that made all the difference! When God speaks, it changes your life, friend!

As I said, I know how difficult it is when you're already exhausted and angry about not being able to fall asleep. But what if God wants to use that very moment to speak personally to you? Maybe it's even the only moment in your life when it's not noisy when you can actually listen… 

That particular sleepless night, I'm glad I realized that God wasn't going to take away my sleep…but give me a song. I didn't even have to get up for that like Samuel…I could write lying down.

What if your obedience to listen on a sleepless night made a big difference in your life, friend? Then you would do it, wouldn't you?