WHEN THE LORD SENDS YOU

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1 Kings 13:4,6,22,32

When King Jeroboam heard the man of God speaking against the altar at Bethel, he pointed at him and shouted, “Seize that man!” But instantly the king’s hand became paralyzed in that position, and he couldn’t pull it back.

The king cried out to the man of God, “Please ask the Lord your God to restore my hand again!” So the man of God prayed to the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored and he could move it again.

You came back to this place and ate and drank where he told you not to eat or drink. Because of this, your body will not be buried in the grave of your ancestors.”

For the message the Lord told him to proclaim against the altar in Bethel and against the pagan shrines in the towns of Samaria will certainly come true.”


I remember reading this record as a child and it drove my mind to really ponder. It actually looked scary for me at that time.


Jeroboam as we saw in yesterday's reading, turned his heart away from God preferring to fight for himself to stay as king of Israel. Yes he knew it was a privilege for God to allow him reign as king because of Solomon's rebellion yet he took this for granted and began to think with a perverse mind. 


Some who claim to have come to God still make this mistake, may they receive deliverance today.


So the Lord sent a prophet to declare against the evil altars he had set up. He dared to point judgement against the prophet and this led to his hands being paralyzed.


Listen, if the Lord sends you, he will back you up!


1 Kings 13:4-6

When King Jeroboam heard the man of God speaking against the altar at Bethel, he pointed at him and shouted, “Seize that man!” But instantly the king’s hand became paralyzed in that position, and he couldn’t pull it back.

At the same time a wide crack appeared in the altar, and the ashes poured out, just as the man of God had predicted in his message from the Lord.

The king cried out to the man of God, “Please ask the Lord your God to restore my hand again!” So the man of God prayed to the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored and he could move it again.


I always say, if the Lord didn't send me I will definitely be careful to go. Selah


The king had to plead with the prophet for his hand to be restored.


Secondly, here is the scary part for me as a little child:


The prophet had two instructions from the Lord concerning this assignment:


1 Kings 13:9

For the Lord gave me 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.’”


Very clear instructions, you will say. However here comes someone claiming to also be a prophet coming with a contrary message:


1 Kings 13:11,15-16,18-19

As it happened, there was an old prophet living in Bethel, and his sons came home and told him what the man of God had done in Bethel that day. They also told their father what the man had said to the king.

Then he said to the man of God, “Come home with me and eat some food.”

“No, I cannot,” he replied. “I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place.

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.

So they went back together, and the man of God ate and drank at the prophet’s home.


Listen, when you hear from the Lord, only Him can adjust whatever He has said concerning you, no one else!


Many have gotten into trouble and confusion by running to one supposed man of God and another here and there. They get their mind all warped up with divers contradictory prophesies that leave them worse than they were.


Some have even been cajoled to make innocent people their enemies even members of their families. (Be careful what you accept as truth, it is not always so!)


Most times these prophesies are just things made up to please their itchy ears.


Listen, learn to hear from God and let no one get you confused. If God needs to speak concerning anything, you as His child must also hear the confirmation. Selah!


What then happened to this prophet?


1 Kings 13:20-22,24

Then while they were sitting at the table, a command from the Lord came to the old prophet.

He cried out to the man of God from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: You have defied the word of the Lord and have disobeyed the command the Lord your God gave you.

You came back to this place and ate and drank where he told you not to eat or drink. Because of this, your body will not be buried in the grave of your ancestors.”

and the man of God started off again. But as he was traveling along, a lion came out and killed him. His body lay there on the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it.


Listen, stay with your calling, don't get pushed about here and there by every wind of doctrine. Know God for yourself, never think of yourself higher than you should, also never think of yourself lower than what Christ has made you.


Again I say, know the Lord Your God.


Many have turned men to their God, hmm, if only they understand that God does not share His glory with any man.


O help us Good Lord.


PRAYER

Loving Father help me stay in total obedience to You. You are my Father lead me, guide me, help me and let me always be in Your loving hands as I journey through my time here till the time when You end all things and I am with You perfectly forever. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.


He calls us blessed.


Love

@the watcher.

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