Disobedience = Destruction
Repentance = Reconciliation
God always has a perfect plan for His children and that plan is fairly simple: Obey the LORD and He will fulfill all the covenants and promises to bless His children.
Please take a moment to grab your Bible or go to Bible Gateway and read 1 Kings Chapters 11-13. The story reveals some of the ways the "anointed leaders" disobeyed to the LORD, which led to sin and destruction. King Solomon's lust led him to began worshipping the gods of his foreign wives; King Rehoboam's pride led him to follow the advice of rash, young advisers; King Jeroboam's fear of losing his position led him to build two gold calves, and a false altar with false priests in Bethel.
For me, Chapter 13 stood out. The unnamed "man of God" (m.o.G.) arrived to deliver the LORD's command and warnings to Jeroboam. This "man of God" was apparently in a strong relationship with the LORD to be appointed for such an important mission, and when he prayed for Jeroboam's hand, it was healed instantly after the King begged him to pray for healing. The "man of God" was very clear about the specific instructions from the LORD he was to obey while on this journey. Not far from Bethel, as he was returning to Judah, an old prophet caught up with the m.o.G. and invited him home using some convincing facts that weren't completely the truth. The m.o.G. was tricked and his fate was sealed...or was it?
Why didn't the m.o.G. ask the LORD directly for confirmation on the changes in instructions? After the declaration was made to the m.o.G., why didn't he cry out to the LORD or repent in any way, or ask for mercy, or ask the old prophet to pray on his behalf. Instead, he finished his meal then left for home and was killed by a lion not long into his trip. Was the m.o.G. too ashamed, proud, embarrassed, confused, angry, or in shock?
Have you heard specific instructions from the LORD? Are you following them completely? Are you listening to advice from others who claim to have heard from the LORD to change His instructions to you? Have you gone directly to the LORD for confirmations on these changes? Check in with the LORD and ask Him if there is any disobedience that is keeping you from being in right relationship with Him. Admit any disobedience and ask for forgiveness and healing, then can He put His perfect plan back in place to bless you.
Gene Sullivant
ReignDownUSA Chief Financial Officer
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