TITLE: THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDITATING THE WORD OF THE LORD
Background:
2 Chronicles 18; The incident of inquiring the Lord concerning the war
with Gilead... We see in v.4, And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel,
Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord today. He wanted to seek the Lord
through his words. That was his habit not when he needed the guidance from the
Lord. People seek the will of the Lord when they are in position to take
decisions, like wedding or starting business. But Jehoshaphat sought the
lord regularly. 2 Ch. 17:3-5. God's word is different than what we expect
and think off. People often thought to guess.
We see in v.5, There were 400 prophets gathered and said to the
Kings to go for the battle. It is 400-1 in the side of the Lord. In several
cases of scriptural events we see the majority of people are always wrong with
the minority of Gods prophets. 1 King.18:22. In this verse we see Elijah the
prophet of the Lord against 450 prophets of Baal... 450:1
2 Chronicles 18:5, therefore the king of Israel gathered together of
prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-Gilead to
battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into
the king's hand. Again we see that as wrong. God’s word doesn't always bring
good, motivating, challenging, inspiring words. All the four hundred prophets
gave the same message of motivation and encouragement to the king. The man
of God who knows his word understands what God’s word is and what is NOT.
Jehoshaphat asked the king of Israel in
v.6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here a prophet of the Lord
besides that we might inquire of him?” v.7 And the king of Israel said unto
Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the Lord : but I
hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is
Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said; Let not the king say so. He realized that
this is not the word of the Lord. Even though 400 of the May prophecy, they may
give good news to the king yet this is not the word of the Lord, he realized.
People think that If well known preachers / pastors/ prophets say, it is
God's word..... I am sure all the four hundred prophets were of well dignity,
celebrities so that the king knew them personally. They were not of less
dignitaries and well known to the people. Today many Christians think that if
this prophet prophecy something, then that is God’s word.... It may not be true
in all occasions.
[10] And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and
said, Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be
consumed.[11] And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to
Ramoth-Gilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the
king.
Prophets or preachers who speak slow and weak in active gesture often
people think that they don't speak the word of the Lord, if the voice of the
preacher or aggressive gestures then people think that he has some supernatural
power in his words…. All those myths were broken in the case we see in the
portion. It is because Ahab did not want to hear God's word rather the words
which is pleasing him. If he would have wanted to hear the council of the Lord,
he would have inquired Elijah or Micaiah, who prophecy the truth of the Lord.
When we don't want to hear the Words of the Lord he deceives them who do not
love the truth in the Word of the Lord. 2 Thess. 2:10-12.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; [10] And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the
truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them
strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be
damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
All the 400 prophets told lie as it was determined by the Lord. vv.
18-22. We see the cunningness of Ahab even in entering into war as he
asked Jehoshaphat to enter with king's robe and he entered by disguising
himself. 32 people were appointed by Syrian king to attack the king of Israel.
1 King 22:31. All the four sides Jehoshaphat was locked by the Warriors yet
when he called unto the Lord, he delivered him. V.31.
Our battle must be against Satan, and all his principalities. When we
only concentrate on Him we will conquer him, not to have too many goals before
us. It is because of Jehoshaphat who knew the word of the Lord yet joined with
the false man; Lord yet heard his voice in the time of trouble, though King
Ahab disguised himself yet the determined doom by the Lord came to pass on
him. Jehoshaphat even after this incident put his trust in the Lord
whereas Ahab died in that war. Jehoshaphat had victory again in 2 Chr. 20. As
he depended God and his words.
Therefore how do you understand something is God's Word? The solution
are...
a) Meditate God's word daily to differentiate between truth and lie.
When you keep on doing that the Lord will help you in the time of trouble.
b) Your fight must be only against Satan and his principalities.
c) When you yield not to listen His words, He will pass the doom which
he has planned for you.
d) Don't always be cheated by the majority, good news, famous prophets
and their gesture to judge the prophecy as true.
asapsingh@gmail.com
