MISSED OPPORTUNITIES DUE TO DISOBEDIENCE

In this life, there are consequences for decisions we make, and sometimes we are not afforded a do-over or repeated opportunity to change things when we have made the wrong choice. This blog is about a man of God who missed his opportunity to continue prospering and living because he was disobedient to God’s instructions.

The blog narrative is found in 1 Kings 13, which tells the story of a man of God used to deliver a prophetic word of judgment to the reigning king of Judah. The king became angry and sought to harm the man of God; however, he was stopped when he experienced paralysis in his hand. The king now had to beg help from the man he wanted to harm. The man of God prayed for the king and he received miraculous healing. The king invited the man of God to come home with him; however, before coming to the king at Bethel, God had given the man of God specific directions concerning his departure from that place. He was told, “Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.” So, he refused the king’s invitation and started on his journey home. An old prophet met him along the way and lied to him concerning new directions from God. He believed and followed the old prophet back to his home in Bethel. While eating in the prophet’s house the prophet gives this word to the man of God, “Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.” After completing his meal, the man of God leaves the prophet’s house, and that same day was killed by a lion all because he did not obey the instructions he had received from the Lord.

This man of God was a young prophet used of God. He knew the voice of God; however, he allowed the voice of another to influence him. Listening to this voice cost him his life. When the old prophet spoke to him with new directions, he did not consult God but instead accepted the old prophet’s word as truth. His life, which appeared productive, was cut short by listening to the voice of a stranger. His disobedience caused him to miss future opportunities to deliver the word of the Lord to national leaders with miraculous signs following his ministry.

This text is a great learning tool for believers; for God speaks to us continually in many ways but mainly via His Word. There is not a day that is void of His Word to us, for we have the privilege of daily feeding on His Word, which provides us with correction, instruction, reproof, and exhortation. Heeding the Word without determent causes us to live and not die.

As I conclude this series on “MISSED OPPORTUNITIES” I pray you will purpose in your heart and mind to be obedient to God; thus, allowing yourself opportunities to advance in the kingdom of God. Finally, be a servant who will eventually become a leader, be prepared to enter in at the appointed time, be productive in all that is assigned to your hands, and be obedient to God.