Devotional - July 28, 2004

It's unthinkable that a parent would purposefully influence their children into doing wrong,but that's what we learn of Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother. It was by default that Ahaziah became king because all his older brothers were killed by Arabs. Like many of the kings before and after him, he took advice from those who had no compunction for giving bad advice.

Earlier this week, a friend visited with me in the Prayertower and asked my feelings regarding giving advice to strangers who request it. My old friend and I were friends when we were children, but haven't hardly talked to one another for almost 40 years. During those years his life went one direction and mine another. Now as we become (re)acquainted and share what God is doing in our life, we enjoy spending time together and marveling how it's only by God's grace that either of us is alive.

After pondering his question for a moment, I responded by saying I sometimes consider it a real challenge to speak to some issues. Sometime situations cross cultural and generational boundaries and border on the incredible when it comes to problems. But I remind myself these folk are seeking a word from God, not me. It's then I offer advice consistent with God's word. While I might have empathy for their situation, I still explain what God's word says concerning their predicaments.

One thing my friend and I have in common is that we've both been blessed by having godly moms. When we'd ask a question, they'd tell us what they thought but often their advice was just Scripture in the language of a loving mother.

Perhaps you have no loving parent or like Ahaziah, you find your parents even add to your trouble. There's hope in the word of God for you friend. What I and millions of others down through the ages have found, is that Scripture speaks to every problem you'll ever encounter. And the Holy Spirit who lives in those who have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, even reminds us of what it says when we need to hear it.

Ahab, Ahaziah, Athaliah and every other mother/son in history will give an account of themselves to God. When you find yourself getting bad advice according to God's word, it's your responsibility to honor your parents in the Lord, but to obey God's word. Now you know: honor doesn't mean obey. Your responsibility is to tell the difference and make the right choice.

"My mother told me," will not be an excuse that God impresses God at the judgment. Instead, know the word of God by speaking the very words of God and you'll find that giving sound advice is learning to rightly divide the word of God and then all you have to do is speak it without compromise.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 2 Ch. 21:1-23:21 Rm. 11:13-36 Ps. 22:1-18 Pr. 20:7 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society