To Whom Shall We Listen?

In 2 Chronicles 18, we are told of the alliance between King Ahab of Israel and Jehoshaphat.

King Ahab desired to attack Ramoth Gilead,

He also wanted Jehoshaphat’s support.

Jehoshaphat said he would support Ahab but he also recommended consulting the Lord first.

King Ahab assembled 400 prophets and consulted them.

All 400 said to attack and the Lord would hand Ramoth Gilead over to him.

Jehoshaphat then asked if there was a not man of God nearby who could be consulted,

2 Chronicles 18:7-8 (NET) - The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the LORD’s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things!” The king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah.”

When the messenger arrived with Micaiah he tried to influence this man of God.

He informed Micaiah of the 400 consulted who guaranteed success for King Ahab.

He then ordered Micaiah to do the same.

2 Chronicles 16:13 (NET) - But Micaiah said, “As certainly as the LORD lives, I will say what my God tells me to say!”

Micaiah foretold disaster for King Ahab.

2 Chronicles 18:17 (NET) - The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster?”

Micaiah was struck in the jaw.

King Ahab ordered him to be imprisoned until he returned.

2 Chronicles 18:27 (NET) - Micaiah said, “If you really do return safely, then the LORD has not spoken through me!” Then he added, “Take note, all you people.”

King Ahab did not return alive.

Even though he was in disguise, he was struck by a random arrow and died as the sun was setting.

The Lord had spoken through Micaiah and not the 400 who gave King Ahab the answer he wanted to hear.

What about us?

To whom shall we listen?

Some tell us that if we follow the Lord then our prosperity is guaranteed.

Others promise that we can ask for anything in the world because it will be ours for the asking.

Do these things sound too good to be true?

That’s because they are.

Life is certainly better with Jesus than without Him.

Just remember the words of Jesus.

Make certain that you listen to Him.

Matthew 16:24-26 (NET) - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 24, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, March 3, 2017

It is of God

In Acts 17 we read of the troubled times of Paul and Silas.

Some of those who heard their message followed their teaching.

Others were not pleased caused trouble.

They formed a mob and spread turmoil.

Failing to find Paul and Silas, they turned upon Jason and those with him.

Acts 17: 6-8 (NET) - When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, screaming, “These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here too, and Jason has welcomed them as guests! They are all acting against Caesar’s decrees, saying there is another king named Jesus!” They caused confusion among the crowd and the city officials who heard these things.

Jason and those with him had to post bail before the city officials would release them.

While this was going on, Paul and Silas traveled to Berea.

At first the people of Berea were open minded and welcomed them.

They examined the scriptures carefully to make certain their message was true.

The message in Berea was accepted but trouble was on the way.

Acts 17:13 (NET) - But when the Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul had also proclaimed the word of God in Berea, they came there too, inciting and disturbing the crowds.

Wherever the Good News was spread, trouble always followed.

This was true in the world of Paul and Silas.

It is true in our modern world as well.

Try as people might, the message was not silenced in ancient times.

Nor is it silenced today.

Persecution is not only confined to the past.

Every day, Christians around the world spread the Good News.

Some risk a great deal.

Some even die.

Yet the message lives on and continues to spread.

How is this possible?

Even a Pharisee who was among those who opposed the apostles in Acts 5 understood this.

Acts 5:38-39a (NE) - So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, or you may even be found fighting against God.”

The message continues to spread.

It continues to spread because it is from God.

May those who are persecuted for spreading the message take comfort in the words of the Psalmist.

Psalm 18:17-20 (NET) - He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me,

for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD helped me. He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me. The LORD repaid me for my godly deeds; he rewarded my blameless behavior.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, February 10, 2017.

I’ll be back here on Friday, February 17, 2016