Troublemaker!

A troublemaker. A maker of trouble. A troubler. A causer of problems. Have we met them? Have we ever been accused of being one? Has the situation even been that we spoke up out of conscience to stand for what was ethical, moral, and right and ended up being accused of being the problem? That is sometimes the trouble with troublemakers; they don't realize or won't admit they have and are the problem!

When Elijah (a faithful prophet of God) met Ahab (the worst king of Israel), note the immediate exchange of words between them where we read. . .

"(17) When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, 'Is it you, YOU TROUBLER OF ISRAEL?' (18) And he answered, 'I HAVE NOT TROUBLED ISRAEL, BUT YOU HAVE, and your father's house, because you have ABANDONED THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD and followed the Baals.'" ( 1 Kings 18:17-18 ESV)

A troubler. Ahab viewed Elijah as such when in reality it was Ahab who was the "troubler of Israel", having led the people AWAY FROM GOD and into idolatry. Ahab was described as having "abandoned the commandments of the Lord." The greatest troublers in this world are those who LEAD AWAY FROM GOD and HIS WILL and INTO SIN. Jesus even stated that with such it would be better for them "to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." ( Matthew 18:5-6 ESV)

Ahab was leading a nation in the wrong direction. Though we might not be in the position of leading a nation we still are to be mindful of where is our life leading. Sin and departure from God's Will have been the troubler of humanity since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. It is at the root of problems between nations, within nations, and among individuals. The solution is not found in man's wisdom. Nor is it accomplished through man's politics. (note Psalm 33:10-12) The solution is hearts open to believing God and following HIS WILL! GOD'S WAYS are not to be abandoned. Life cannot be better unless HIS WILL IS EMBRACED. May the manner in which we live help those around us recognize the unmatchable wisdom of following God's Will!

Have a great day LIVING TO LEAD TOWARD THE LIFE MAKER!
Carl

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