A Whisper and a Nudge

Sometimes it’s what people say that makes you stop and listen more closely.  Sometimes it’s how they say it. 

The same thing is true about God.

1 Samuel 9: 15     Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, 16     “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”

17     So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.” (New King James Version)

It was the wording of verse 15 that made stop and re-read this morning.  …the Lord had told Samuel in his ear…    Of course not every translation uses this exact phrasing.  You could say simply that the Lord told, said, or revealed to; but the word in the original language means to uncover the ear.

So the right image to have in your mind is of God leaning down, cupping His hand around Samuel’s ear, and whispering, “Don’t worry, Sammy.  In about twenty-four hours, I’m going to send you guys some help.”

And then.  The next day as Saul (who doesn’t know about any of this) is wandering past, God nudges Samuel in the ribs and whispers, “Pssst.  Sammmy, that’s  him.  That’s the guy I was telling you about yesterday.  That’s the one who’s going to help you.”

Now, imagine God leaning down, cupping His hand around your ear, and whispering to you in a still, small, voice.   Imagine the Lord standing by you, gently nudging you as your blessing passes by,  even when the bearer of the blessing doesn’t know why they’re there.   We know Biblically that God does that, but are you sensitized to God’s whispering voice in your ear?    

Sure, you can hear a prophetic word when it’s declared from a pulpit.  Of course you notice great healing and miraculous provision.   Thunder and lightning, tongues, and dreams, and all spectacular forms of revelation:  you know about those. 

But what about the soft whispers?  What about the gentle nudges?

How many blessings have you missed because you weren’t used to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit?  How many more blessings will walk right past you because you shrug off God’s little nudge in your side?
Learn to hear Him in the quiet times when you’re not even asking for anything in particular.  Learn to feel His touch when you’re not begging for a healing hand.  Over time you’ll be able to hear His whisper even when everyone else around you is screaming.  And then, you won’t have to miss any more blessings.

---Anderson T. Graves II   is a writer, community organizer and consultant for education, ministry, and rural leadership development.

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church in Montgomery, Alabama, executive director of the Substance Abuse Youth Networking Organization (SAYNO) and director of rural leadership development for the National Institute for Human Development (NIHD).

Email atgravestwo2@aol.com
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To hear sermons, read devotions, and learn more about the ministry at Hall Memorial CME Church, visit www.hallmemorialcme.blogspot.com .

You can read more on Pastor Graves's personal blog at www.andersontgraves.blogspot.com  .

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