WHAT GOD HAD SAID

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 1-5

"Samuel stayed in bed until morning, then got up and opened the doors of the Tabernacle as usual. He was afraid to tell Eli what the Lord had said to him." 1 Samuel 3:15 NLT

God had spoken to Samuel in regards to Eli, Eli's family and the sins they had tolerated and committed.

It was a tough bit of news. It was a solemn affair. It was full of judgement and wrath.

Out of respect...

Out of fear...

Out of immaturity...

Out of inexperience...

Samuel struggled with telling his mentor God's words.

What Samuel was struggling with was that it was God's words, not his own.

It's a lesson we should all tussle with.

If it's our opinion, our preference or merely our commentary--we should mentally consider whether or not we should share it.

If it's God's words, if it's heavy on our hearts that we are to speak them, if what He is asking us to say is true, kind, necessary--then we should speak up.

When God asks us to tell someone something, it's not a matter of hurt feelings, offense or humiliation--it's always about things of eternal consequence.

Listen for the Lord's leading and obey.