WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR

Ahab had four hundred prophets who all prophesied the things that Ahab wanted to hear. They all told Ahab to go into battle and be victorious. But Jehosophat was not convinced by the numbers and unity of Ahab's prophets, so he asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?" (1Kin 22:7) Eventually a lone prophet of the LORD, Micaiah, was called. His message was very different and foretold the death of Ahab and the scattering of Israel. It was the message Ahab was afraid to hear, yet it was the message of the LORD. Having heard it, Ahab instead decided to follow the predictions of the four hundred other prophets while taking precautions to try and foil the fulfilment of Micaiah's prophecy. It didn't work, and Ahab died in the battle.

We often need advice. We probably don't have multitudes of prophets to ask - or even one prophet. But even in asking advice from friends, family or work colleagues, we need to be careful. As Ahab discovered, the advice we want to hear is not always right nor is it always the majority who are right. But advice from the LORD will always be right. Let's make sure we do what is right and listen to the advice of the LORD above all else. Let's not base our decisions on the philosophy, opinions or wisdom of mere man.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]

CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER

When the prophets of Baal called to Baal, they used every way they could to get Baal's attention. They called on him, then they called louder, then they cut themselves to make him take notice. They frantically called to Baal all day, from morning to night, and still they had no response. But when Elijah prayed to the LORD it only took one short, relatively quiet prayer, for God to hear and respond to Elijah.

Elijah did not need to shout or draw attention to himself. He did not need to cry to God all day or choose the right time in case God was busy else where. He did not need to offer frantic prayers or have lots of speaking. Elijah knew that his God could hear and answer prayer from anywhere, at any time, even though the prayer might be said in just a whisper for only a second. Elijah had the confidence that the LORD his God was alive and cared enough to listen to his people and to respond to their prayers.

Elijah's God has not changed, and neither has Baal. Baal still will not hear, but the LORD our God can hear us no matter how short or quiet our prayers are, wherever they are said, and whenever we say them. Let's be as confident in the LORD our God as Elijah was.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]