Yes, Lord, I am listening
Isaiah, like Eli and Samuel and so many others, was willing and ready to answer God’s call. Scared or not, convenient for them or not, costly for them or not. They knew they were being called and chosen by God and so they responded and said, “Yes, Lord I am listening.”
“Then I heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?” I answered, “I will go! Send me!”” (Isaiah 6:8)
“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 3:8-10)
They weren’t confused or reluctant; they didn’t feel inadequate or worry they couldn’t do what God was calling them to do.
Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes,” (1 Samuel 3:18) showing He had the utmost faith in and trusted God. To do what was right. In return, God remained with them in Shiloh and spoke to Samuel.
“The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.” (1 Samuel 3:21)
As He did with Moses, God revealed Himself to Samuel.
“The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.” (Exodus 33:11)
We, His servants, should always respond to the Lord our God as excited as Isaiah; as obedient as Eli; as willing as Samuel; and be as close to Him as Moses!