For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest. 1 Kings 13:17 KJV
Every day there is a need for us to follow instructions.
They are given to help keep us from doing something the wrong way and causing us harm.
As Christians we are being taught, through the Scriptures, on how we should be living based on the faith commitment we made when we gave our lives to God.
Knowing that everything we hear or read may not be good for us.
If we listen to the wrong voice or read the wrong instructions the end results can be bad.
An example of this was when God gave instruction to a man (prophet) who was going to Bethal.
He was charged “by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest” (! Kings 13:9).
So even when King Jeroboam requested his presence to have a meal with him, the prophet declined, because he was following God’s command.
As he continued his journey, but “went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel” (v.10).
“Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father” (v.11).
The older prophet went after him to invite him to come home and dine with him, but the man, initially, declined his invitation.
Telling them, “I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: For it was said to me by the word of the Lord, Thou shall eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest” (vv.16-17).
The older prophet convinced him to change his mind by telling him that, “I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him” (v.18).
The good prophet in this journey was deceived.
As believers we always in danger of finding ourselves led away from our duties by someone who pretends to be doing God’s work.
That is why we must remember that if the Father has told us to handle things in a certain way, we must stick to it.
Just like He spoke to us in the beginning, He will speak to us as we journey on.
We are to trust God. His Words direct our paths in life, and we are wise to listen to what He says and obey.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Lord, we know that nothing can excuse any act of willful disobedience. Your Words are what matter the most in our lives. Help us to listen to Your voice and obey. We want to hear You say “Well Done” on the day of judgment.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen