1 Samuel 3:15, "Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision."

Think

Young Samuel was not familiar with God's voice. Little wonder that three times God called out to Samuel and each time Samuel mistakenly ran to Eli, believing it was his voice calling. On the fourth call, Samuel knew it was God and responded, "Speak, for your servant hears." Initially, Samuel was probably excited to hear from God, but he got more than he wanted. God commanded Samuel to tell Eli that judgment was coming upon Eli's sons for their blasphemy and upon Eli for his unwillingness to restrain them. Samuel was to be the bearer of very bad news! Understandably, Samuel was afraid to tell Eli. But Samuel faced his fear and spoke God's truth to Eli. Samuel did not suffer from Truth Decay - the inability to speak the truth in love for fear that the listener cannot handle the truth. He obeyed God, spoke the truth, and trusted God to work through his words. Through his obedience, he was breaking the cycle of silence. He was willing to do what Eli had not done. And God was using him to change the future of a nation.

Act

As you read today's devotional, did the name of someone come to mind who needs to hear the truth about a situation that is damaging to their well-being? If so, you could very well be God's messenger. Don't let Truth Decay stop you from telling the truth. Ask God to give you the boldness, grace and opportunity to talk with this individual and, in love, tell them the truth.

Pray

Dear God, I do not want Truth Decay to prevent me from speaking the truth to my friend. Please give me the wisdom as well as the words to speak your truth clearly and compassionately. Amen.