I have been reading through the Word again this year with a couple of friends. It's a much smaller accountability group than I've been in for the past few years, but it's been wonderful. As the year has worn on, life has happened, travel, stuff and we've all gotten a bit behind in our daily commitment to read and pray. When we were together over the 4th of July, we found an option on our phones to "catch up" our reading plan and so we all did...the point is to keep on going and if you feel overwhelmed with trying to make up a couple of extra weeks of reading, then just start where you are and make that your new day 1.
Well, good intentions....
We kept traveling and I read a day here and there, but I got home this weekend and found myself behind again, by 2 weeks. What to do?!
Well, I clicked the "catch up" button again and took a deep breath and prayed and recommitted to reading His Word.
I found myself reading 1 Kings 13 yesterday morning. A not overly familiar story, but I did know it. What made me stop and take notice this time was the following...
In this story there is the Man of God and the Old Prophet. The Man of God knows what the Lord has told him to do, he repeats it clearly to the King and to the Old Prophet. But, when the Old Prophet knowingly lies to him and the Man of God takes his word for it and goes to his home to eat, he is held responsible for his disobedience. At first, I think, "That's not fair! He was lied to and tricked into disobeying!" But, then immediately I hear that voice say, "But he knew better! He had my Word! He knew the truth and yet was willing to be swayed."
It happens to us all...even Men and Women of God, Prophets Young and Old, and just normal, stereotypical lay people... We have His Word, we know the Truth and yet when someone comes along that we hold up or esteem, are we easily swayed to do what we know is wrong? What we know the Lord told us not to do?
Now, I don't feel that I have been in this situation recently. So, I'm not sure if this got my attention because the Lord was trying to warn me, or was it just a reminder? Was it His way of saying to me, "Stay in my Word. I know you get busy, but don't go a week without reading what I have to say to you."
I'm believing that if you pore yourself over the Truth, when someone lies or tries to deceive you, even if they claim to be a believer, you will know that it isn't right. If He has spoken to you, told you to do something, then do it. Don't let "someone" change the marching orders. You already have them, straight from the King!
The sad part is, even though he was lied to, he was still held responsible and punished for his disobedience. It's a strong life lesson that even when you are called the Man of God, doing His work, speaking and performing miracles in front of the King, you are only one step away from disobeying and being held accountable.
May we all take the time to steep ourselves in His will and Word and walk in the Truth!
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