THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 7TH OCTOBER 2024, MONDAY MESSAGE
TOPIC: Recognizing God’s Voice
Today’s Reading
1 Samuel 3:1-10
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. – 1 Samuel 3:9 (NIV)
Today’s Message
When I first came to prison in 2006, I didn’t know anyone here. When we went to meals, the crowded cafeteria would be loud with many voices talking at the same time. It was chaotic. As I talked with the men around me, I became familiar with their individual voices to the point where I could easily identify who called to me in the crowd.
Similarly, I have wondered how I would recognize God’s voice when so many emotions, fears, desires, and thoughts vie for my attention. But the more I read scripture, the easier it becomes to recognize God’s voice. The Bible is God’s word — alive and active — and helps us distinguish among our inner voices, the voices of our world, and God’s voice. Scripture helps us identify God’s voice speaking through the Holy Spirit into our hearts and minds.
Now I am able to hear God guiding me day by day — even conversing with me in prayer. I can hear when God calls out to me because I’m attuned and prepared to listen. We can learn to recognize God’s voice by familiarizing our hearts and minds with scripture — God’s word to us.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Father, open our hearts and minds to your word in scripture. In the name of Christ we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Jesus’ sheep follow him because they know his voice. (See Jn. 10:4.)
Prayer Focus
Christians in prison
The Upper Room Devotional 7th October 2024, is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More