Confrontation: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Confrontation  

Bombarded with complaints,

demands, Samuel stood

firm. Spoke truth

described consequences.

Voice drowned by 

desire of assimilation;

their surety that commonality

higher than a unique calling.

He did not agree, sought

instead God’s counsel

acquiesced to His command only.

Crowd now satisfied—ignorant

of their loss.

Psalm 104:33, “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.”

Reflection Recant: Faith Seeds and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Whether telling some white lies or not continues to be a ongoing debate, how do you think a consistent pattern of telling white lies can weaken a person’s capacity to tell the truth in a costly confrontation?

2.     What is your internal conversation when a friend or mentor gives you negative feedback? What makes you accept it if you do?

3.     How willing are you to give honest feedback? Is your style confrontational or compassionate?

Share: Have you spoken truth in a public setting knowing there could be severe consequences? Why? What was the result?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Confrontation  

Bombarded with complaints,

demands, Samuel stood

firm. Spoke truth

described consequences.

Voice drowned by 

desire of assimilation;

their surety that commonality

higher than a unique calling.

He did not agree, sought

instead God’s counsel

acquiesced to His command only.

Crowd now satisfied—ignorant

of their loss.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     What are some social “expectations” that can influence us from hearing truth?

2.     When have you struggled to share a truth with someone and been rejected? How painful were the results for each of you?

3.     Have you identified areas in your life where you can be persuaded too easily or alternately distrust intently?

4.     How many of those situations have resulted from pride?

  

Share: How have you exchanged a false belief for truth? What helped you break down your barriers?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 11: 32, “And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah of David and Samuel and the prophets—.”

All of these men acted on faith without having any knowledge of the outcome. They trusted in God’s word alone regardless of the immediate circumstances. Hearing God’s voice was sufficient.

One of Samuel’s most difficult experiences is related in the story of Israel’s demands as told in 1 Samuel 8:18-22. The people insisted that Samuel appoint a king to rule over them. Samuel recognized the error of their request and refused to cooperate. He did not bow to their demands.

However he did take all their words he had heard and “he repeated them in the ears of the Lord.” Then when the Lord said to go ahead and fulfill their request Samuel obeyed God. He was wholly committed to serve God’s word with heart and mind and soul.

Sometimes I wonder if the people thought they had forced Samuel’s hand and influenced his decision. Which would then increase the falsehood that they were right to demand control. As their priest, Samuel’s obedience humanly cost him politically, socially and spiritually. Yet he did not question God’s word or authority. And his obedience carried into eternity.

How often do we also buy into false choices and decisions because we forget to bring the words we hear into the Lord’s presence for affirmation? Or bow to the majority because it is easier?  Or cannot hear the Lord’s voice because we are so full of our own agenda?

Lord, please enable a faith in us to keep us listening to Your words, Your voice and Your path.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 40:2

“How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust,

And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.”