Today you should read: 1 Kings 22:1-53
So we are now at the end of the book of 1 Kings and I have a question to pose to you:
Would you rather hear the truth or hear something that sounds good to you?
If we are honest with ourselves, most of us would rather have someone tell us some good news as opposed to telling us a hard truth. This is what we see in this passage and, many times, we face this type of scenario in our lives. We want our banker to tell us we have a million dollars in the checking account, but they hand us a receipt with a much smaller number. We want the mechanic to tell us our car is great shape with no problems, but may of us get a list of things that need to be replaced. Many of us want God to give us a good life, full of comfort, and happiness with little to no trouble and then take us to heaven peacefully in our sleep at an old age. The hard truth is that many of us deal with difficult situations in our lives. The hard truth is that many believers all over the world do not spend old age in a nice retirement in Florida. Many believers don’t even make it to old age at all. People are killed every day for their faith in Jesus. And in the US, many Christians face bullying, prejudice and ridicule for their faith. We also face temptation and the overall residual effects of sin in the world.
The trouble with us is that we love to hear from God and serve God when the forecast is blessing and comfort. It is easy to follow God when it is a light walk in the park. It is when God tells us that storms are coming and that the walk is an uphill hike through dangerous terrain that we decide that maybe this whole following God thing isn’t for us. So here is the big deal to take away today:
We are called to follow and listen God at all times, good or bad.
It is like a marriage. When you say for better or for worse, that is a promise. Sadly, many people give only lip service to that statement. Marriage is great when things are great, but when times are tough they bail. This is exactly how many people, including the people in today’s passage, treat God. Remind yourself today that when tough words come to you or tough situations arise your commitment to loving and following God is not debatable or optional. In fact, it is those times where it is most necessary to be near Jesus.
Posted by: Robbie Byrd
JumpstartCPC.com 