“If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ he would be just the prophet for this people!” (Micah 2:11, NIV)
Kevin Chappell fading from a two-shot lead to five shots back in the final 10 holes at The Barclays…
Aaron Baddeley bogeying the last three holes at Liberty National to miss the second round of the FedEx Cup playoffs by a shot…
Unknown 14-handicapper Martin Phillips double-bogeying the last to lose his fifth consecutive Sunday afternoon match with his buddies…
We wouldn’t blame these golfers for all asking themselves the same question at the end of their weekend rounds: Which way to the nineteenth hole? Whether trying to drown one’s sorrows or cover them over with a house brew and some funny stories, the way of the world is to find that celebrated silver lining. Never mind the quality of what’s being lined.
Micah was among those Old Testament prophets assigned to deliver harsh words to those living in and around Jerusalem: Judgment was coming. Invaders would deliver the wrath of God for the rebellion of the people. God’s legendary patience had reached its end.
We might dare to say, “Oh, if I heard the voice of God like that, I wouldn’t waste another minute. I’d repent and get going for God.” Not so the people of Judah, content in their sin. They had gone so far as to surround themselves with spiritual advisors who supported their godless living: “Their prophets say, ‘Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us’” (Micah 2:6). But this is not so far, really. Paul wrote to Timothy similar words in a time more like our own: “To suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3).
We live in the golden age of the ear-scratchers. Fire up your computer, start Googling away, and you can find someone to agree with whatever choice you want to make. A great number of these ear-scratchers even do so with a “Jesus stamp” next to their name.
It’s true: this side of heaven, no one gets it all right. But when we look at what God asks of us and choose a different course, even getting those deemed spiritual experts to approve our actions, that’s just wrong. Always has been, always will be—no matter how you cover it over.
—
Jeff Hopper
August 28, 2013
Copyright 2013 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.