1 Kings 13:1-25
Lessons from the above:-
· God made the
young prophet a proof in order to be approved. It therefore happened, ‘just as
the prophet had said would happen’ – [verse 5].
· ‘Beg the Lord your God … So he prayed to the
Lord,’ and the Lord answered him hence the king’s arm was restored – [verse
6b]. Why did he not pray unto the Lord for confirmation when the old
prophet came and gave a contrary instruction? Why did he not honour God before
the old prophet? Why did he disobey?
· Verse 9 – was a direct, personal, strict instruction meant
for the young prophet’s ears only, neither for the king nor for the old prophet.
· The young prophet
‘prayed to the Lord’ for the king’s hand to be restored. Why could he not cry
unto the Lord for repentance when he fell into temptation, and beg for
forgiveness? To show the nature of the old prophet [that he was far from the Lord],
why didn’t he (the old prophet) there and then beg God for the young prophet’s
disobedience – instead of saddling his donkey for him? – [verse 20-23].
· He was able to
spot the danger of obedience to the advice and offerings of the king which he
bluntly refused, but fell into the more subtle and dangerous form of this same
kind of temptation to disobey God through a ‘professed messenger of God’ who
was a liar.
Prayers
· Thank You Jesus
for You said “And the Good News must
first be made known in every nation before the end-time finally comes.” (Mark 13:10 – TLB). And so we thank
You, as doors are being opened into various nations for our men of courage to
teach and to preach the Word of God; to give His commands and His instructions.
· Thank You Jesus for
being the proof inside of Your men, which makes Your word to be approved unto
the souls of men/women that hear Your words/commands.
· “By the disobedience of one man, many were made
sinners; also by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” [Romans 5:19a] – Therefore Lord, cause Your mercy to fall upon the
whole team of Your men (as they go in twos/three or more), as You take them
into the nations for Your purpose; Holy Spirit, let every act/verbal word of theirs which is
in disobedience and contrary to Your instructions/commands, be made opened or
revealed to them instantly, so that they can quickly make amends and not fall
into the wrath of God.
· Lord Jesus, as
they go in service and in labour for/with You, help our men of courage not to
allow temporary earthly pleasure to destroy their eternal treasure; as Your
return draws near, help them to be strong and steady everyday, keep them
abounding in Your work [1 Corinthians 15:58].
· Holy Spirit, You
are the Spirit of obedience. Therefore, baptise Your men and guide them into
obedience, we beg You; we have come to know that (1) Complete disobedience and
partial obedience = failure before You. (2) Being disobedient means questioning
God’s original instructions. And so Jesus, baptise Your life of obedience into
Your men as they go forth and mostly when they are on the field in the nations,
so that they may carry out Your strict order and not do otherwise.
· 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 – “Keep your
eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be
strong; and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love” – Please our God,
help Your men to stand truly in You, be their strength and defence; open their
eyes and hearts for them to know when to be practically cautious and courteous;
let them not be swayed by the spiritualism of ‘dead men of God,’ but help them
to be wise in their dealings with such men – young or old.
· Luke 22:40, 46 – 40 There
he (JESUS) told them “Pray God that you will not be overcome by temptation.” 46
“Asleep! Get up! Pray God that you will not fall when you are tempted.” –
Thou Lord Jesus in our men, the hope of their glory, You who was not
overpowered or fell into temptation at anytime while on earth; cause it to be
that You will grant Your men Thy grace, that they will not be overpowered by
nor fall into temptation; and when they do, thank You for You will make a way
of escape for them to be able to endure it [1 Corinthians 10:13].
· “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but
try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone
out into the world.” [1 John 4:1] – Deliver Your men O Lord from
spiritual deception or lying spirit. Help them to test all spirits by the Word
of God, which is the final authority that confirms all truth or lie; save Your
men from the stronghold of falsehood which is from the kingdom of darkness as
they possess these nations for You. Let Your light in them, which is You Jesus,
reveal and dispel every handiwork of the enemy in their labour with You.
· Please Holy
Spirit, deliver Your men from ‘ferocious wolves who are in sheep’s clothing’
whose main aim is to destroy the ‘sheep’; thou great shepherd, help them to be
on guard against every contrary word and counsel of such ‘wolves’, and to hold
fast unto every word spoken into their hearts by God. Please keep them saved by
the Cross and by the blood of Jesus.
· 1 Corinthians
15:57 – ‘But thanks be to GOD, which giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.’ Our Father in heaven,
we thank You for the victory that You have given unto all Your men of courage (mention the names of those within your
bosom) through their Saviour and Maker Jesus Christ! We are trusting You
Jesus, that as You were in all points tempted like them, yet without sin – be
it unto Your men also (mention the names
of those within your bosom) that they will not start
in obedience and end in disobedience [Hebrews 4:14-15]; help them for
this is a miracle that only You, our miracle (Jesus), who worketh in them can
do!
Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Friday 11.30am -12.25pm (UK time)
Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Friday 11.30am -12.25pm (UK time)
