23 And after he had eaten bread and drunk, he saddled the donkey for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24 And as he went away a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood beside it; the lion also stood beside the body. ~ 1 Kings 13:23-24
Here’s a little back story for you. A man of God heard from the LORD that he was not to eat with King Jeroboam or eat anyone, for that matter, in that place. In fact, this man of God was filled with such conviction that he told King Jeroboam that even if he gave him half of his house, he still wouldn’t go home and eat with the king. After this, the man of God left. He was feeling confident in the word he heard from the LORD. He was on his way back home, then out of nowhere, an older prophet came after him and told him that he heard from an angel that he had to bring the man of God home with him. Because of this, the man of God left with him and ate at his home with the old prophet. This is where we pick up our story. The man of God was killed because of his disobedience to God.
So many of us have heard a word from the LORD. We heard a direct call from the LORD to do something or not to do something. When we first hear the word, we’re confident. We’re sure. In fact, when people we know don’t hear from God, don’t believe in the word you heard, it doesn’t bother you. But as soon as someone you know is a man or woman of God and they contradict or doubt the word that you’ve heard, then you begin to doubt as well. That’s what happened to the man of God. He was confident until the other man of God, who was older, contradicted what he knew God had told him.
When we hear a word from God, we have to have confidence in the word we heard. We have to have faith, regardless of what other people say they heard. Because if we don’t, we could completely miss our call, and in doing so, spiritual die. Why? Because Jesus said that it’s not just calling Jesus LORD that matters, it’s those who do the will of the Father in Heaven. Doing the will of the Father is what will get us into Heaven (Matthew 7:21). So, if we don’t follow the will of the Father, then we spiritually die and are separated from the LORD. So, have faith in what you have heard. Do the will of the Father.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Sure of Your Conviction.