5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

In today”s reading, God gave a command to deliver a message to King Jeroboam. A man of God went to the place where an alter with a golden calf was. King Jeroboam had set up this and another alter after its kind – which thing displeased God because it drew His people into idol worship where Jeroboam burned sacrifices unto the golden calves. He also set priests in high places to tend to the alters. These priests were not of the Levites, whom God had covenanted with to serve before Him and to be priests unto the people. King Jeroboam restrained God’s people from going up to Jerusalem to worship God. The man of God pronounced the words of God, that the very same alter he visited at God’s command, would be split and its ashes poured to the ground. The prophecy was fulfilled that day.

When King Jeroboam heard that the man of God had lifted his voice proclaiming God’s word concerning the idolatrous alter, he tried to command that the man of God be taken prisoner. Stretching forth his hand saying, “Lay hold on him…”, the King’s hand was immediately “dried up” and he could not longer move it. It may have been like a tree branch devoid of moisture or root. It took the prayer of the man of God to restore the King’s hand to a living limb.

God also commanded the  man of God not to eat or drink anything in that place. However, when a prophet came to the man of God saying, “I am also a prophet as ye are… and an angel spoke with me to invite you eat and drink…” the man of God took heed to the prophet’s words. The prophet who spoke with the man of God (he who was commanded to neither eat nor drink in that place) had lied concerning the prophesy he spoke. The lie cost the man of God his life, though he had only eaten and drank under the premise of believing that the prophet who spoke to him had been true in receiving and delivering a message from God to his comfort.

It is written in Romans 3:4, “…let God be true and every man a liar…” Yet, the liar is condemned (Revelation 21:8). How does one trust in words when people have the choice to speak what is in their own minds? Though God will sometimes speak to you through other people, it is important to establish and maintain with Him directly, a relationship that you might know His leading and not follow another voice. A wise man prayed that God would protect and defend all of his informative channels – that is, that God would not allow the enemy to use the man’s communication streams, whether to the man, from the man, around the man, or concerning the man. Such a prayer asks God to intervene that a message from the enemy would have no effect.

Satan’s speech is usually subtle. If he spoke harshly, the hearer would be startled or feel unsettled in spirit as with by fear. Thus, he has learned to speak falsely with comfortable speech, that you might be confused as to his motivation and false reward. One way to recognize this enemy’s speech is to compare it to the Word of God. Since God is not the author of confusion, the enemy’s speech in contradiction to God’s word is a point on which to err and comes from the father of lies.

Though the believer lives today in a state of grace according to the gift of God through Christ, there are still choices from day to day. The choice must be made at every opportunity, to heed the voice of God. Doing the right thing for the right reason is a goal of every choice.

It does appear that the man of God who believed he had been told not to eat, would not have lost his life in obedience to that word, had he said to the prophet who invited him to bread, “Thank you; but I must needs continue on my way.” That prophet might have been discontent that the man of God would not come to dinner. That prophet might have been shocked that the man of God was not easily distracted by a lie (since the prophet did lie about the angelic invitation). Yet, in a sincere attempt to do the right thing for the right reason (not eating because of the commandment, despite the availability of repast), the prophet could have stood before God saying, “I would not let a man be true and make you a liar.”

God will honor those who honor Him. So let every heart seek to do His will for His own glory, that God my have pleasure in our obedience. And it is written,

If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 AMP

Affirmation

I believe in the Father. I believe in the Son. I believe in the Holy Ghost. Three in ONE. Yes, I believe in the Father. I believe in the Son. I believe in the Holy Ghost: three in one. Listen, the Devil is a liar; but, God is true. What He did for me, He can do the same for you. Just put your trust in Him. God will see you through. You’ve got to stand on His word. That’s what I believe!

Do you have a personal Statement of Faith? Some churches designate a time for the congregation to recite what they believe in unison. When you speak with your own voice, you are talking to your heart. When you confess before others, you are confirming your faith. God has a blessing with your name on it. Your claim ticket can only be signed by trusting in Him.

Song Of The Day