The Blame Game

1Kings 18:18

18"I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals

Elijah came out of hiding to meet Ahab. When Ahab saw him, he immediately accused Elijah as being the troublemaker for Israel and causing the drought. But Ahab's anger was misplaced. He needed to be angry with himself for allowing his wife Jezebel to take over and terrorize the men of God and for his own inability to stay true to God. The three year drought over Israel was the judgement pronounced for Ahab's unfaithfulness to God. Elijah carried it out. God placed Ahab on the thrown and yet he decided he wanted to serve the pagan gods of his wife. The root of the problem was Ahab was unequally yoked with an unbeliever who not only had no regard for his God, but for him either. And his lack of taking the household back as the rightful leader and turning his back on God led to everyone's suffering.

What can you learn from this scenario? Be careful about misplacing blame. What role did you play in where you are? What choices/decisions did you make or what did you not do? Be willing to confess to how you contributed to the problem. Second, when you know God is the source of your blessings, turning your back on Him is turning your back on your own blessings. Third, none of us exist in this world alone. You are connected to others. Your disobedience will have a ripple effect somewhere. Fourth, when the Lord gives you an opportunity to get back on the right path, take it. Fifth, as the apostle Paul mentioned in the New Testament to believers who were planning to marry, do not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. The reason, there will always be discord. Ahab and Jezebel are proof. She did not care to worship the one who put Ahab where he was which was also an indication of her level of respect for Ahab. There was none.

Don't Forfeit Safety and Peace

Proverbs 3:21

21My son, preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;

King Solomon talked about the benefits of God's wisdom. Most know Solomon as the wealthiest king of God's people in the Old Testament and that his wisdom from God brought him wealth. But Solomon talks about the other, more important benefits of God's wisdom. God's wisdom outweighs man's wisdom because the word says that the Lord's ways are higher than man's in Isaiah 55. Solomon talked of two common benefits that many overlook. First God's wisdom, discernment and judgement in your life keep you safe. When you listen to the Lord, He keeps you from stumbling and will move you into safety. How so? For example, the Lord tells you not to go somewhere and take a detour. You taking that detour may very well mean your own life has been preserved and keeps you from harm. Many take for granted when God says to not do something or to do an alternative. But it is better to heed the voice of the Lord's wisdom for your own protection. Secondly, King Solomon talks about following God's wisdom will allow you to sleep better at night further in chapter 3. Have you ever been worried? Jesus said worry does not add to your life but it takes it away. Worry keeps one from sleeping at night. But Solomon speaks of one who follows God's wisdom. Following God will allow you to be at peace and sleep. Decisions may be difficult but once you follow God's guidance, there will be a peace.

My pastor mentioned the song "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" a couple of weeks ago in reference to Jesus being a friend and the following line has echoed in my spirit, "oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.".  It's not just carrying it to God but it's to follow the answer to the prayer if you wait for it. His wisdom will give you peace once you carry out what He says and you will have safety. Even if it doesn't look like it to man, the Lord has your back.