What God Has Spoken

Read: 1 Kings 13: 1-31

There is an important message in this story. The Lord God gave a direct word to the man He sent to Bethel, not to eat or drink in that town. The first challenge to what God had spoken, was from the King, when he asked the man of God to come back to eat and drink with him in his house - (after he prayed for his hand to be restored). The man of God refused to budge. However, when an old prophet heard of the man of God, he went to him and challenged him by saying that he too was a prophet, and an ‘angel’ told him to bring him back to eat and drink with him, (V: 18). It was a lie.

Why did the old prophet lie to him? Did God send the old prophet to him in order to test him? It reminded me of the serpent tempting Eve saying, “Did God really say…” This can sow seeds of doubt and confusion into our minds. We may start to wonder if we heard right, or if God had changed His mind.

If the Lord speaks something to us, no matter who comes to challenge the word that was spoken, we need to obey what God has said. It doesn’t matter how well respected or spiritual the person is, we need to stay true to what God has spoken to us, otherwise we suffer the consequences.

There will come temptation to go along with what another may say. Their talk and reasoning sound so good. But beware! We must remember what God has spoken to us and be found faithful and true, obedient to God alone.

© By M.S.Lowndes

I will listen [with expectancy] to what God the Lord will say, for He will speak peace to His people, to His saints (those who are in right standing with Him) – but let them not turn again to [self-confident] folly.

Psalm 85: 8

Lord the word that you have spoken
Directly to my heart
May it be firmly planted there
Not ever to depart.

© By M.S.Lowndes.