Boldness to Speak God’s Truth (2 Chron 18)
Introduction:
King Ahab, king of Israel, incited King Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join forces with him to fight the battle at Ramothgilead. At the request of King Jehoshaphat to ask God if they should proceed with the battle (v4), King Ahab consulted 400 prophets. These men were afraid of displeasing King Ahab, and thus encouraged them to carry on (v5). Thankfully, King Jehoshaphat decided to seek the counsel of “a prophet of the Lord” (v6), someone (Micaiah) who would be bold in speaking God’s truth.
How We Tend to Be Like:
More often than not, we tend to be like the 400 prophets. It is easier for us to avoid hard truths (v10-11), speak lies and conform to the majority (v12); we tend to avoid the truth especially when it might be difficult for others to hear. Often, we form many excuses when we want to avoid something, as we rely on our own strength.
What God Instructs:
On the other hand, God desires that His servants do and speak His Word with all boldness of faith, just like how Micaiah did, as he was committed to only speak God’s Word (v13). As individuals and as a church, our role is to encounter God through His Word, and exalt fellow brothers and sisters out of love.
We can take heart from the example of Paul, who was bold despite his sufferings. Peter and John also persevered in speaking God’s truth boldly while facing much opposition and persecution (Acts 4:13-20, 24-31).
Our Source of Strength:
This inner strength to speak God’s truth boldly comes from God Himself. We can be assured that whenever He tasks us to do something, He will provide resources for us in Christ. He has already gifted us with the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us. Hence, our basic duty towards God and as a community is to simply grow in dependence on God, trusting that He will give us the boldness to speak His Word, even during times of sufferings and trials.
Conclusion:
As we study about Micaiah’s boldness in speaking God’s truth even when he was the minority, may we be reminded and encouraged to do so as well! Let us ask from God (Acts 4:29, 31), obey and trust in God as we rely on the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, that we might encourage and build up others with God’s Word.
Comments