R.E.A.P. your daily devotions with Linda Bailey

Do I look fat in this?  Do you like my new car?  Am I singing in tune?  Often the truth hurts and maybe even at times we 'can't handle the truth' because it will alter our existing mind-set.

1 Kings 22.1-28

Reference:  v.18  The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?" (NIV Bible)

Explore:   One of the most memorable movie quotes comes from A Few Good Men.  When Col. Jessep is on the stand the opposing lawyer, Kaffee, is cross examining him.

Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I'm entitled to them.
Col. Jessep: You want answers?!
Kaffee: I want the truth!
Col. Jessep: You can't handle the truth!

So often we think we want the truth, but really we just want someone to say what we want to hear.  Do I look fat in this?  Do you like my new car?  Am I singing in tune?  Often the truth hurts and maybe even at times we 'can't handle the truth' because it will alter our existing mind-set.

Application:  Ahab was quite happy to hear from his 400 prophets because they said what he wanted to hear.  Jehoshaphat, on the other hand, wanted to hear the truth from God, so Ahab sent for Micaiah.  Even though Ahab didn't appreciate Micaiah because he always said bad prophesies against him, it seems that he really did want to know that the Lord approved of their decision to fight against Ramoth Gilead as he questioned Micaiah further.  However, when he heard the truth Ahab didn't like it and so he locked Micaiah in prison.
The truth may mean that we have to change.  The truth may mean that our view of the world is shifted.  The truth may mean that we have to sacrifice.  Are you currently looking for answers?  Can you handle the truth?  The truth can be the hardest thing to hear but God does not speak truth to hurt us.  God speaks truth into our lives to make us better disciples for Him.

Prayer:  Lord, there are often things in our life that keep emerging.  Help us to understand your truth behind our situations and live to honor you. Amen.

When is the truth hard to hear?  Do you shy away from the truth or embrace it enthusiastically?