1 Kings 22:14 But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.”

Micaiah proved he was a true prophet right here. This whole chapter gives very interesting insight into prophets and prophecy. The other 400 or so “prophets” were opportunists, political operatives who used “prophecy” to curry favor with power, and/or for political ends. They remind me a lot of the global warming/climate change alarmists today, who continue to spout their predictions even when proven wrong again and again. In contrast, Micaiah doesn’t claim to be omniscient, but he does profess to listen carefully to God. Every believer should be that way, whether they have a specifically prophetic calling or not. Sadly, too much of what goes on in churches resembles the antics of the 400 “prophets,” rather than humility and obedience toward God. Sermons are crafted with the tools of public speaking to advance human plans, rather than being expressions of what God is saying to His children. We cannot judge such things by human standards, but rather use the Bible as the standard and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate it, and us, so that we may hear what God is saying.

This is of course extremely applicable to me. I have been used in prophecy many times over the years, but more importantly, each time I stand in a pulpit I seek and desire to transmit faithfully what God is saying, just like Micaiah. I do prepare outlines and I do seek to be an effective speaker, paying attention to Mark Conner’s points on “Preaching to Change Lives,” but if it isn’t God’s message to begin with, all of that is “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1) I start each message confessing that if what I speak is just my own words it will be of no value, and asking God to use me to speak to those listening. I have heard too many sermons that didn’t follow that principle – some from my own mouth! God certainly talks to His people, but if I speak my own thoughts and claim they are God’s, I’m in deep trouble. Sometimes God does speak through me when I haven’t expected it, but feeling self-important or going around saying “Thus sayeth the Lord” is the height of foolishness. I am to expect God to speak through me and be grateful when He does, but never try to leverage that to my own ends. My end stinks!

Father, thank You for a sense of humor. Thank You for Your overflowing grace in so many areas. Help me indeed rest, relax, and rejoice, just as You have told me, keeping myself available to You at all times and in all ways, so that Your name may be recognized as holy and Your kingdom come as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!