Nougat 23

Yesterday, one of my faithful supporters asked, ’Why would God send such a young prophet for that mission?’ Implied in the question was a deeper question, one that cuts to the heart of our response to today’s Holy Nougat

“Then while they were sitting at the table, a command from the Lord came to the old prophet. He cried out to the man of God from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: You have defied the word of the Lord and have disobeyed the command the Lord your God gave you. You came back to this place and ate and drank where he told you not to eat or drink. Because of this, your body will not be buried in the grave of your ancestors.”” ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭13:20-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Having read this nougat, one may bravely ask the question, ‘Does God set us up for failure sometimes?’

As Faithful implied, if God knows everything; why would God allow the young prophet to go on that [guaranteed to fail] mission?

My siblings in Christ, if only we had the full answer to such scenarios we’d be all set in the Faith! I wish to posit a slightly different thought – a What if actually:

What if this mission to speak to the power of the day (prophesying against the Bethel altar and demonstrating God’s real strength to Jeroboam) was the young prophet’s raison d’être; ie his main purpose in life? If so, then the focus is less about him straying after his encounter with Jeroboam, and more about him completing that mission. We also recognize that the older corrupt prophet had a miracle God-moment, as he received a legitimate Word from God; albeit at the young prophet’s expense.

Timing is everything.

For, the young man of God’s disobedience was a bit about timing. I suspect he might have been hungry. He was definitely a bit wrung out; since the older prophet found him under a tree (see v.14). And many a preacher, pastor, prophet would agree that after ministering, one is drained. Elijah succumbed to self-doubts after defeating Jezebel in round 1 of their battle. John the Baptist experienced his crisis of faith when imprisoned at the peak of his career. The devil tries to get us at our most vulnerable. Even Jesus was tempted while in the desert on a 40-day fast.

Timing is everything

God’s timing is Supreme. For, as God did with Cain, God offers a way out. The young prophet was warned by God; don’t tarry -use a different route home. This underscores 1 Corinthians 10:13 which assures us: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ‭‭

When God gives us a What; we are to treat it as our raison d’être. We are also to be on our guard, as our adversary seeks to disrupt God’s good thing happening in our lives. And if/when we falter; let’s recall that our obedience and our failure may have a profound impact upon someone else’s life.

Also remember: God’s purpose prevails and God’s timing is sure.

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May all we seek be found in Christ