Daily Devotions
Troublemakers
Title: Troublemakers
Reading for April 15: 1 Kings 16-18
When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals."
1 Kings 18:17-18
Ever been called a troublemaker?
True disciples will stir things up every now and then... even make people mad.
Jesus gave warning to those who never caused trouble, saying, "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26) Everyone loves a false prophet. They say what you want to hear.
A true prophet will make unpopular stands and say things people don't want to hear. That's why the true prophets in the Bible were so persecuted (Mt 5:11-12).
Not all troublemakers are commended by God. Peter warned, "But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler." (1 Peter 4:15) Sometimes we stick our nose where it doesn't belong and suffer for it. There is nothing commendable about this kind of so called "meddling."
We must also be sure that when we call out those who are in error that we do it in a loving way (Ephesians 4:15), giving our defense with "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
But give a defense we must! And get ready for the insults. Just because you treat those who oppose God with respect does not mean they will do the same for you. The Devil plays dirty. It will get ugly.
Remember that you are blessed when you suffer for Christ's sake. You will be rewarded, "for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:12)
Father, grant us courage to stand for the truth and wisdom to know which battles to fight.
