By the word of the LORD one of the sons of the prophets said to his companion, "Strike me with your weapon," but the man refused. So the prophet said, "Because you have not obeyed the LORD, as soon as you leave me a lion will kill you." And after the man went away, a lion found him and killed him. — 1 Kings 20:35-36
The man refused to obey. "No," he said, "clearly you are made in the image of God, and you have done nothing wrong, and I have no right to assault you, and my hands will not draw innocent blood."
All of this was very true, very logical, very right for all of us, and very wrong for the man who disobeyed. The Bible says that the fool has said in his heart, "No, God." People say "no" to God because they think they know better than God what is right for them.
I try to give my children the moral reason behind the instructions I give them. But sometimes, especially when they were young, I realized that they wouldn’t understand the reason. I just had to say, "Daddy knows best."
We are not more righteous than God. Every word from His mouth is like silver purified seven times in a furnace. Read the context of this passage. God had a purpose in this command. He was trying to get the attention of a wicked king, hoping to turn around an entire nation.
God’s words will always make sense in the end.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
Dwight Clough is the author of four Christian books and is an active member of Lake City Church in Madison. This devotional is also available via email and you may review the archives back to 2002. To contact Dwight or Kim, use their contact form. You may also support their ministry.