“…My word…that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void…” Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
Yes, in every situation that confronts us in life, we can find solace from the above Scripture. In sickness, He is our healer. In times of trouble, He is our Helper. In times of need, He is our Provider. We can list so many things, times, and occasions that God has honoured His Word. For whatever He says, He has the ability to bring it to pass.
In the account found in 1 Kings 13, a man of God was sent from Judah to Bethel to King Jeroboam, the ruler of the Northern Kingdom (Israel). King Jeroboam had set up altars to burn incense unto idols (two golden calves) that he had built, causing the people to sin against God. Thus, the message from the man of God was that he (King Jeroboam) would be destroyed because of this unholy practice. The man of God understood that his utterances would bring upon himself a death sentence or God would have to deliver him. He, however, was obedient to the Word of the Lord and delivered God’s message about the punishment that would befall the king’s household.
King Jeroboam, in anger, commanded the arrest of the man of God, but God was not about to allow any harm to come upon His servant. As the King stretched out his hand to point, it withered so that he could not pull it back to himself. That very moment, God’s word came to pass. The altar was split apart, and the ashes poured out, proving without a doubt that God honours His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2).
Can you imagine the humiliation of King Jeroboam and the fear that came upon his entourage as they witnessed what happened to his hand and the altar? He immediately pleaded with the man of God for God’s mercy. Should the man of God have prayed and asked God to show mercy to a King who had ordered his arrest? Our responses may differ, but God’s Word says, “…the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” Exodus 34:6-7 (NKJV). Prayer was made, and the king’s hand was restored. The man of God further refused the offering of gratitude and invitation to the king’s palace and left to return just as God had commanded him.
Friends, God is reminding us today that once we obey His Word, He will always provide a way of escape. The man of God refused the offer of worldly authority to obey the Ultimate Authority, God (1 Kings 13:9). You should do the same.
Prayer
Almighty God, thank You that You always honour Your Word, and whatever You have spoken will come to pass. Thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed on us. I can testify of the fulfilment of Your Word in my life and in my situations. Thank You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Exodus 16:4; Philippians 4:19
Bible Reading Guide: Psalms 105:1-11; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Isaiah 1; Isaiah 2
