June 13
1 Kings 22:10-28; 2 Chronicles 18:9-27; 1 Kings 22:29-35; 2 Chronicles 18:28-34; 1 Kings 22:36-40, 22:51-53; 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:30
We hear lots of voices every day, but how well do we pay attention to them? We can hear, but not actually listen. In our reading today, we see two different communications from God through prophets─one that is heeded and one that is not. First, Micaiah tells Ahab and Jehoshaphat that going to battle will lead to defeat; yet they ignore it and go to war anyway, leading to Ahab’s death. We may wonder why Jehoshaphat did not listen to these words from God: was he scared of what Ahab and his court would think? Did he doubt the words of God? Did the opinions of the false prophets sway him from the truth, leading him to cave to majority opinion? We do not know why, but for whatever reason, he ignored God's word.
Later, God explained to Jahaziel how victory would occur. He was told he simply had to march out to battle and God would do the fighting for him. Despite the seeming ridiculousness of this, Jehoshaphat listened and obeyed. Like this latter example, we need to hear God's word, truly listen to it, and then do what he says. If we fail to obey, there will always be disastrous consequences.
Father God, help me to listen to you and recognize your voice amongst the earthly noise. Help me to heed your instructions and obey. Amen.
What excuses have you used in the past to keep from obeying God and with what truth can you replace these excuses?
We hear lots of voices every day, but how well do we pay attention to them? We can hear, but not actually listen. In our reading today, we see two different communications from God through prophets─one that is heeded and one that is not. First, Micaiah tells Ahab and Jehoshaphat that going to battle will lead to defeat; yet they ignore it and go to war anyway, leading to Ahab’s death. We may wonder why Jehoshaphat did not listen to these words from God: was he scared of what Ahab and his court would think? Did he doubt the words of God? Did the opinions of the false prophets sway him from the truth, leading him to cave to majority opinion? We do not know why, but for whatever reason, he ignored God's word.
Later, God explained to Jahaziel how victory would occur. He was told he simply had to march out to battle and God would do the fighting for him. Despite the seeming ridiculousness of this, Jehoshaphat listened and obeyed. Like this latter example, we need to hear God's word, truly listen to it, and then do what he says. If we fail to obey, there will always be disastrous consequences.
Father God, help me to listen to you and recognize your voice amongst the earthly noise. Help me to heed your instructions and obey. Amen.
What excuses have you used in the past to keep from obeying God and with what truth can you replace these excuses?
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