Thoughts for another day

August 22, 2012.

Today's verse: 1 Kgs. 22:28. Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!” (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In this episode, we see Micaiah, a prophet of God standing resolutely in the face of immense danger to his life in saying exactly what God wants him to say.  In reading the Scripture we notice that the Kings of Israel and Judah are planning to war against the king of Aram.  Before going, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah seeks to inquire from a man of God whether they should do that.  Now there're a number of prophets about 400 of them, who Ahab, the king of Israel checks with, and they say they should go and God will help them conquer.  But Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet of the LORD and they speak of Micaiah. 

Ahab orders that he be brought at once.  The messenger who goes to summon Micaiah, tells him to prophesy as the others but Micaiah promises by the LORD that he can say only what the LORD wants him to say; and he does that facing Ahab boldly in the presence of the other prophets.  They're enraged at Micaiah to the extent that one of them even slaps him on the face when he prophesies the defeat of Israel.  Ahab however, heeds the prophecy of the false prophets and prepares for battle.  As he goes, he orders that Micaiah be held in custody until he returns and Micaiah in response utters our Scripture above.

Micaiah is a great model of God's agent who trusts Him implicitly and despite immense opposition, sticks to his word because he trusts God and is confident that what God has said, He will accomplish.  We see that God protects his word: Israel is defeated and Ahab is killed.  With this as the backdrop, let's look at what God tells us and how much we listen to Him.  You know sometimes, God asks very difficult things of us; we believe and start to do that but as time passes and things start getting difficult, we doubt and are jittery and subsequently fail because we don't keep faith, just as Peter starts sinking as his faith diminishes.  My friend, today, if there's something God has asked you to do, rely on Him and do it.  You may face various tribulations and dangers, but remember He will rescue you from them all.  You may also think it's easy for me to advise such things, but I also come from a similar situation and have faced various difficulties, so much so that at times, (God pardon me for this) I even question His existence.  But grab hold of His Grace and continue in prayer and leave it to God.  He will save you and you will accomplish what He has ordained you to accomplish; and this even if every man on earth is against you!  Amen.