Hearing His Voice #319

The LORD gave [the man of God] this command: “You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came.”

But the old prophet answered, “I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the LORD: ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’” But the old man was lying to him.

1 Kings 13:17-18

The man of God was told not to eat or drink in Bethel and to return to Judah by another route. And he had already resisted a temptation to disobey this command when the corrupt King Jeroboam tried to get him to come to the palace for a meal. But when an older prophet gave him an alternate word, he thought God might have changed His mind. He fell for the deception. He went home with the older prophet to have a meal in the town he had been told to leave. And he paid for his disobedience with his life.

Why would God put one of His servants in such a predicament? It’s a strange passage of Scripture, but one lesson is clear: When God has told us one thing, we are to cling to it relentlessly, no matter who tries to convince us otherwise. When we know He has spoken, not even a bona fide prophet’s words should lead us away from the direction He has given.

Stubbornness is generally an unappealing characteristic, but when it comes to faith and obedience, it’s necessary. God wants us to measure every word someone tells us and every circumstance we see against the things we already know He has said. If there’s a discrepancy, we’re to go with the truth He has spoken. By this our faith is proven and God’s words are honored.

Lord, I tend to compromise much too often—probably because I’m uncertain about what You’ve said. Give me confidence to anchor my faith and obedience in Your words and never deviate from them. Cultivate in me a holy tenacity to cling to promises and assignments You’ve given.