May 13, 2024
READ: 2 Chronicles 18 (Focus vs. 9-16)
MEMORY VERSE
“As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.” 2 Chronicles 18:13
BACKGROUND
After the Paris Peace Conference that concluded World War I, French Marshall Ferdinand Foch bitterly observed, “This is not peace. It is an armistice for twenty years.”
Foch’s view contradicted the popular opinion that the horrifying conflict would be the “war to end all wars.” Twenty years and two months later, World War II erupted. Foch was right.
Long ago, Micaiah, the lone true prophet of God present at the time, consistently prophesied dire military results for Israel (2 Chronicles 18:7).
In contrast, four hundred of King Ahab’s false prophets foretold victory: “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king,” a court official told Micaiah. “Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably” (v. 12).
Micaiah responded, “I can tell him only what my God says” (v. 13). He prophesied how Israel would be “scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 16). Micaiah was right. The Arameans killed Ahab and his army fled (vv. 33-34; 1 Kings 22:35-36).
Like Micaiah, we who follow Jesus share a message that contradicts popular opinion. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Many don’t like that message because it seems harshly narrow. Too exclusive, people say. Yet Christ brings a comforting message that’s inclusive. He welcomes everyone who turns to Him.
By: Tim Gustafson
INSIGHT
A similar battle between true and false prophets that’s recorded in 2 Chronicles 18 is also seen in Jeremiah 27-28. The prophet Jeremiah is the solitary voice for truth amid a chorus of false hope (27:9-15) and confronts the lies of the false prophet Hananiah (ch. 28).
In the New Testament, Paul also warned against false prophets and of the day when people “will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).
Every believer in Jesus needs to be discerning and boldly speak truth, even where there are those who itch for something else.
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
When the Spirit leads you to say or do something, how will you do so in love? When have your own assumptions needed to be challenged by God?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“…we who follow Jesus share a message that contradicts popular opinion.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Vox Populi non est Vox Dei” (The voice of the people is not the voice of God)
God is enjoined only to back the voice of those who declare His injunctions. Pr
“And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for Him, as I should.“ Ephesians 6:19-20
PRAYER
“Father, please give me the wisdom to discern Your truth.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“Always Speak the Truth” Alfred Graley
Be the matter what it may,
Always speak the truth;
Whether at your work or play,
Always speak the truth.
Never from this rule depart,
Grave it deeply on your heart,
Written ‘tis upon your chart:
Always speak the truth.
There’s a charm in verity,
Always speak the truth;
But there’s meanness in a lie,
Always speak the truth.
He is but a coward slave,
Who, a present pain to waive,
Stoops to falsehood; then, be brave;
Always speak the truth.
Falsehood seldom stands alone,
Always speak the truth;
One begets another one,
Always speak the truth;
Falsehood all the soul degrades,
Stains with sin and ever breeds
Evil thought and darker deeds,
Always speak the truth.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
PSALMS 119:145-160
