Don’t Shoot the Messenger

Today’s Passage – 1 Kings 18 – 19

Second Milers also read – Luke 1 – 2; Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23

Scripture Memory for April – 1 Corinthians 13

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17)

Israel was going through perhaps the toughest time in its early history.  They had not had rain in three years, resulting in all of the brooks drying up.  There was no grass for the livestock and no food for the people.  God judgment was upon the nation.  The messenger of God had warned the king that this was going to happen back in 1 Kings 17:1; but as often happens, the king places the blame on the messenger instead of accepting the blame himself.

Why do we get upset with the mailman who delivers the bills?  Why do we get mad at the teacher or preacher who delivers to us the Word of God?  Sometimes I fee like Paul when he said, Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

The blame for Israel’s problems lay primarily at the feet of Israel’s leader, King Ahab.  He had completely forsaken God: he married a woman who hated God and even slaughtered God’s prophets.  The solution to the problem was not killing Elijah; but Ahab’s turning back to God.

Through the years, I’ve known many people who have gotten away from God and as a result their lives go downhill: sometimes physically, sometimes financially, sometimes in other ways.  Often these folks get mad at the church or the preacher: anything but look within.

I have come to a conclusion in my life:  my problems are caused by me.  If things are going wrong in my family, I don’t blame the church, the government, my neighbors, or anybody else:  I blame the guy I see in the mirror in the morning and I go to God for help in getting the mess cleaned up.