DCLM Daily Manna 23 May 2022 — Courage for the truth
DCLM Daily Manna 23 May 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Courage for the truth
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TOPIC: COURAGE FOR THE TRUTH
TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 18:12-27
13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.
14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.
15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?
16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.
17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?
18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.
20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.
22 Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.
23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
24 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;
26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.
KEY VERSE: “And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak” (2 CHRONICLES 18:13).
MESSAGE:
The most common game at play in our world today is the game of flattery and sycophancy. When people lack the courage to tell the truth as it is, they resort to flattery and false praise. This is either out of the fear of what telling the truth might cause them or because of the gain they hope to derive from their flatteries. The result is usually sour and bitter as the whole society suffers from it.
King Jehoshaphat in the preceding verses had persuaded Ahab to consult from the prophets if it was okay for them to confront Ramoth-Gilead in battle. The four hundred favourite prophets of King Ahab all in unison gave the prophecy Ahab would love to hear. They encouraged him to go ahead and assured him of victory. Not satisfied, Jehoshaphat asked to know if there was no other prophet whom they could inquire from. Reluctantly, Ahab sent for Micaiah, who spoke the truth to the king, not fearing his wrath. He would rather incur the wrath of the king than join in the game of flattery and sycophancy. This is courage!
Whilst many people today lack the courage to speak the truth to their friends, spouses, bosses and colleagues, believers should always speak the truth at all times. Truth will preserve from destruction while flattery and sycophancy will lead to damnation. Ahab ignored the truth spoken by the courageous prophet, Micaiah, and met his waterloo in the battlefield! Love the truth and be bold to speak it at all times.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Brave men are not afraid to tell the truth at any time!
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: GALATIANS 1-3
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
