God knows our names, our Christian names as well as our surnames; what street we live on and the district, and even our business, if we have reached that age. Yes, He knows us from our birth. He knew all about Samuel. It says of Samuel, that he grew and ministered unto the Lord before Eli, the priest; but it also says, “Samuel did not yet know the Lord.” He had not yet spoken directly to Samuel, but there came a time when the Lord wanted Samuel to know Him for himself. So the Lord called Samuel, but he thought it was Eli calling him. This occurred three times. At last Eli perceived that it was the Lord calling the lad, and told him what to say if he heard the voice again. The Lord knew this, so the next time the call was given twice, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Dear reader, there may have been a time in your life when something happened to you and your parents recognized in it the voice of the Lord speaking to you, and your attention was called to it. The Lord knew this and He is looking for an answer.
I remember a young girl to whom the Lord had spoken several times, but she had not answered. One night as she was retiring to rest, sitting on the edge of the bed, she heard a voice saying distinctly to her, “Vera, how long am I to wait?”
She said, “I knew it was the voice of the Lord, and I knew to what He referred.” It brought to her mind His previous speakings, and she, like Samuel, responded and is now reckoned among His sheep.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-3027My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30I and my Father are one. (John 10:27‑30).
ML 09/17/1961