Father, here are three examples of people You told specifically what to do. The ones who disobeyed You, paid a terrible price.
1 Rehoboam, Solomon’s son who inherited the kingdom, was given a word by You through Shemaiah. Although it was Rehoboam’s plan to rally the forces and attack Israel, he stopped that plan, obeying Your instruction. All his army went home, safe.
2 Jeroboam had been told at his anointing, that he would be king over ten tribes of Israel, and have a dynasty as enduring as David’s. Jeroboam would rule over all his heart desired IF he would obey Your commands and walk in Your ways, and do what is right in Your eyes. But he did not. He made golden idols and led the people to worship them instead of You. This led to his downfall and destruction.
3 A man You sent to prophesy against the altar Jeroboam set up, did as You said at first. His prophecies came true. But he was tricked, deceived into stopping to eat and drink where You had told him not to. He paid with his life that day.
Father, help me take seriously what You instruct me to do.
Strengthen me to be obedient – to change my plans if need be – in order to obey. Even if what You tell me goes against what seems to be logical human thought – let me clearly understand what I am to do, and recognize if I am straying from it.
Protect me from those who would deceive or trick me into being led away from Your command.
Help me, through obedience, to stay in Your blessing and in Your will. Amen
Once again, Father, You have proven Yourself, as the events unfolded exactly as You prophesied they would.
This is not a simple unfounded hope like “I hope I win the lottery.” The Hebrew word translated as hope comes from the word used for the triple twisted rope that binds an anchor to a ship to keep it in place. It’s a sure thing. It can be counted on.
Daily Bible Prayer 