DCLM Daily Manna 23 May 2022
KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 18:13 – “And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.”
TEXT: 2 Chronicles 18:12-27 (KJV)
12 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Therefore please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.”
13 And Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak.”
14 Then he came to the king; and the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”
And he said, “Go and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand!”
15 So the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”
16 Then he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’ ”
17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”
18 Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. 19 And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ 21 So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him and also prevail; go out and do so.’ 22 Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the Lordhas declared disaster against you.”
23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go from me to speak to you?”
24 And Micaiah said, “Indeed you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide!”
25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah, and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son; 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king: “Put this fellow in prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and water of affliction, until I return in peace.” ’ ”
27 But Micaiah said, “If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Take heed, all you people!”
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
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!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Galatians 1-3
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Courage for the Truth – by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
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Daily Manna 23 May 2022
