PODCAST
Before You Confront
July 8th, 2012
1 Samuel 15:1-11
Nothing is harder than being a bearer of bad news. Just ask a doctor making his way into the waiting room after an unsuccessful surgery. Or a policeman walking up to a home after a fatal car accident. Or a prophet about to deliver a divine rebuke to a disobedient king.
Saul’s pattern of self-serving and unfaithful leadership made him unfit to continue as ruler of Israel. God told Samuel, “I am grieved that I have made Saul king” (v. 11a). Samuel knew that he must be the one to confront Saul.
The time may come when the Lord calls you to confront a friend with concern about an issue in his or her life. It may well be the most difficult assignment you will ever accept. Learn from Samuel. Before you go to that person, take your concern to the Lord. Let him give you the words to say and the courage to say them. Make sure your motives are pure. Then go . . . be God’s messenger of restoration.
