Live Your Calling

1 Kings 22: 6-8, 13-14

“So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” “Go,” they answered, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.” 7 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?” 8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

“13 The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.”

The King of Israel liked to be flattered.  He liked his prophets to be “yes” men.  He liked to think that he was right all of the time.  Those who voiced contrary opinions were exiled or ostracized or killed.

Micaiah was a prophet that spoke the words that God told him to speak.  He knew the risks yet the words of God were infinitely more important to him than the favor of the king.  Micaiah was not a prophet in name only. He was a true prophet that lived his calling.  

In this world of today, people of power and authority still like flatterers and yes men. Christians are called to a different life; to live lives that are examples of Christ.  

No matter the risk.  No matter the price.

May the love of Christ be with you

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)