Messengers!

Yesterday was “Groundhog Day” and according to the “official” groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil (of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania), since he saw his shadow, we are in for six more weeks of cold winter weather. As this annual event was captured by the news media, there was much mumbling and groaning from the crowd gathered and they were reminded that “Phil” was only the messenger. Though we may not fully rely upon the forecast associated with “Groundhog Day”, how often has the weatherman felt the brunt of complaints regarding the weather as people forget the weatherman only predicts the weather, not produces it?

As Stephen was helping to spread the message of salvation in Jesus, there were some who disputed with him, but were unable to withstand his wisdom. In an attempt to stop this messenger, they secretly instigated men to accuse him of blasphemy. Stephen was seized and brought before the Jewish council where false witnesses testified against him. ( Acts 6:8-14) Stephen then began a speech pointing out a long history of ill treatment of God’s messengers.

Note the following charge Stephen directed toward this group.
“(51) You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. (52) WHICH OF THE PROPHETS DID NOT YOUR FATHERS PERSECUTE? AND THEY KILLED THOSE WHO ANNOUNCED BEFOREHAND THE COMING OF THE RIGHTEOUS ONE, WHOM YOU HAVE NOW BETRAYED AND MURDERED, (53) you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” ( Acts 7:51-53 ESV)

Jesus also referred to the history of how God’s messengers had been treated. ( Matthew 23:29-36) So many of God’s prophets were mistreated as their message was rejected by those to whom God had sent them. However, God’ s true prophets could and would only speak the message He gave them. There were also times when prophets who would speak a kinder message were sought out instead. Is the tendency much different today? Quite often, when people don’t like the message they simply take it out on the messenger. And if the messenger can’t be clearly proven wrong, attempts are made to shut him (or her) up one way or another. Even many who seek to uphold freedom of speech and encourage a spirit of toleration of diverse ideas are among the most intolerant of Biblical principles and appear to want nothing more than for Christians to be silenced!

When the prophet Micaiah was before Ahab and was told to speak favorably, he responded “As the LORD lives, WHAT THE LORD SAYS TO ME, THAT I WILL SPEAK.” ( 1 Kings 22:14) We are not prophets, but we are to be messengers of GOD’S WORD. What God has spoken and preserved in the Scriptures, that is what we are to proclaim. As we hold out the message of salvation in Christ and live true to the standard God has given us for life, we must always remember the MESSAGE BELONGS TO HIM and we are merely the messengers. We have no right to change the message to suit the ears of those around us. The message is to be what it is regardless of the climate of society. May we remain true to HIS MESSAGE!

Have a great day UPHOLDING GOD’S WORD AS IT IS!
Carl

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