Friend to Help Along the Way
We are placed many times throughout life into difficult circumstances. The enemy is constantly plotting to get us off the path and we need a friend to help along the way.
Reading today in 1 Kings 22, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went to see Aham king of Israel who needed a friend to help take some disputed land called Ramoth Gilead against King of Aram. Jehoshaphat told the king of Israel that he wanted to seek the counsel of the Lord.
Most prophets for Israel during that time simply agreed with whatever the king set out to do but Micaiah was different. While the other prophets said the Lord would give the king success, Micaiah prophesized that there would be victory but that the king of Israel would die in the battle. The king of Israel didn’t like what Micaiah prophesized so he had him imprisoned.
Ahab hated the truth when it didn’t agree with him (verse 8). He couldn’t handle the truth (verse 16) and wanted to hear only good news about him (verse 18). He even put the truth teller in prison (verses 26-28). He thought he could hide from the truth by plotting to disguise himself during the battle (verse 30).
Sure enough, Micaiah prophesized correctly as Aham was killed in the battle. This event teaches us that God is the Truth and cares for His people. We don’t have a counselor that just tells us what we want to hear. Because of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in all we do.
The Truth is God’s Word and we should react to parts of scripture that reprove and correct us with humility. Everyone needs a friend but not all friends will be able to deliver. With Jesus, we have a friend that can. He knows what path to take and what decisions are the best. What a friend we have in Jesus!
Father God … we all can get into circumstances that are out of our control, but we trust that You will overrule our circumstances. We rely on Your guidance as we study Your Word today. We are constantly growing in faith as Your grace soothes our soul to produce a heart of goodness. We are thankful that we can come to You because of Your Son. We can pray and spur one another on towards the Way taught by Jesus … our Intercessor in whose name we pray … Amen.
Mark Shields, Thanks for reading! This blog started from a small Bible Study group several years ago with just a few followers and now has grown beyond what I would have imagined. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are holding me accountable to daily Bible reading and study.
Mark’s Website: thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.(Luke 12;32)
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (John 3;16)