Truth, An Endangered Species. Part [8] 05/02/2025 (Morning thought)

1st Kings 22:6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

Ahab actually agrees to pray, but he would do so on his own terms, because any mention of not my will but thy will would not be tolerated. When praying to God for guidance and direction in those critically important matters, who you pray with is important. There are some in our day who pray like if they are trying to bully God into blessing them, and like Ahab they may not want to hear Thy will be done. That is exactly how the four hundred false prophets prayed.

Note well, in their antics, that they leave no wiggle room for any other view. It’s what Ahab wants, or nothing else will do. When a Christian prays for guidance from The Lord, we should not have any preconceived answers that we are not willing to surrender, just in case The Lord may disagree. Answers from The Lord, for guidance in any matter usually comes in three sizes: Yes, No, or Wait.

Thus, if you do not have definite directions from The Lord to move forward, or decline, you should wait even if Ahab may try to pressure you into a hasty decision. The problem with Ahab’s type of prayer is that it has predetermined answers from yes men, who are on his pay roll, and therefore, they would not be of the same mind and heart as the one who will pray with a humble spirit, waiting and watching at God’s doors for answers and direction.

1st Kings 22: 11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the Lord, with these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Truth, An Endangered Species. Part [7] 05/02/2025 (Evening thought)

Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Again, a lot of well-intentioned Christians were also ensnared, and devoured, when, on the suggestions by friends and financial advisers, to park their funds with Bernie Madoff, some concluded that it had to be a good sound investment, coming from a world- renowned guru, who had a stellar record. Bernie, being interviewed on CNBC and other major news networks several times, and being regarded as an icon in the investment world, was much sought after for financial advice.

And his word was like gold, to those who listened. That is until he Made off with the funds, into neverland. Again, the Christian must vet suggestions and advice coming from financial advisors and “Gurus” for it is a fact that many are devoured on Wall Street. Persons who do not believe the truths of the Bible, and who couldn’t care less about God, should be vetted thoroughly, through prayer, if the Christian is to avoid potentially catastrophic losses.

This leads us to our next observation in the story, for the very least you can do is to pray about it. On this point, our prayers must be not of the kind that the yes men prayed, for they had a readymade answer to their prayers, which would obviously be in sync with Ahab’s wishes. Lesson: [2] Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord. Let’s read:

1st Kings 22:5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to day.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!