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One of the great marks of a Godly leader is the ability to “truth in love.” Ephesians 4:15

Her heart was so heavy with longing as she poured out her sorrows to the Lord that, though her lips would move, no words could be heard. And the watchful priest totally misread what he saw. He confronts a heart-broken worshipper about coming in a state of intoxication. Before a perceived drunken woman Eli showed great boldness. But in the face of his own sons’ immoral behavior, he was spineless and silent.

Now, when he was yet a child, the boy whom she received in answer to that prayer spoke words that the watchful priest likely wished he had NOT heard when in obedience to Eli’s instruction, “Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him.” 1 Sam 3:18

One of the great marks of Samuel’s life and integrity was his courage to “truth in love.”

“Truthing in love” will be one of the hardest assignments any devoted God-follower will ever receive! And Samuel received that assignment time and time again in his ministry career. He:

  • revealed to Eli the untimely death of his sons due to acts of unrepentant rebellion
  • called out the nation when the Ark of the Covenant was captured by Philistine armies
  • reproved the populace for demanding an earthly king when they were blessed to be cared for by the Eternal King
  • called down a storm from Heaven to affirm their rejection of the Lord
  • called out King Saul when he usurped his authority and performed the function reserved only for the appointed priest
  • told seven consecutive sons of Jesse that they were NOT the one

The mark of Samuel’s godly leadership was his faithfulness to speak the truth wherever God sent him to serve. And shockingly, his final recorded act of “truthing in love” occurred AFTER his own death. To troubled King Saul at a clandestine visit to the office of a medium/spiritist, the spirit of Samuel was called back from the grave. And the frightened king can only WISH that Samuel’s lips had moved but that the words would not have been heard! “Why do you ask ME what you should do, since the Lord has departed from you and has become your adversary?! Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me!”—1 Samuel 28

One of the great marks of a Godly leader is the ability to “truth in love.”

See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom