The lamp of God was not yet extinguished, and Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was.

The Lord called to Samuel, who answered, “Here I am.”

He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” I did not call you,” Eli answered, “Go back to sleep.” So he went back to sleep.”

1 Samuel 3:3-5

Samuel is asleep in “the temple of the Lord.” This would have been more of a tent than the permanent structure that was built later. In the tent, there was the ark of God, which would have housed the Ten Commandments. It was the most sacred place in all of Israel. Samuel was sleeping when God called out to him. The Scripture doesn’t say if this was an audible voice or a kind of dream, but Samuel believes it is Eli who called him. He runs to Eli and wakes him up.

God works to get Samuel’s attention, but Samuel runs in the wrong direction. He goes to Eli instead of turning to God. At times, we repeat the same mistake. We turn to other people and tune in to what they have to say instead of first seeking God and his word. God will speak to us through other people; but, to mature in faith, we must learn to go to God first.

Pray today to turn to God first in every area of your life.