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| THE WORD |
HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN! PT. 2
...David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son: ...it is written in the book of Jasher. The beauty of Israel is slain upon the high places: how are the mighty fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice...How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! [II Samuel 1:17, 19, 27]
In our text David lamented with a lamentation, when he heard of the death of Jonathan his friend, in company of his father king Saul in a battle front. To David, and evident in his lamentation, the fall of the both of them was the fall of mighty men, thus he lamented: “How Are The Mighty Fallen!”
History bears witness that mighty men had fallen in the past, and we still witness many falling today. Oh, How Are The Mighty Fallen!
We are here again this morning to lament, learn and never to laugh over the tragic fall of some selected Bible characters of men of mighty standing. Last Sunday we saw how and why Samson fell. Today we shall see how the Man Of God from Judah Fell in 1Kings 13:1-31. This is to create in us that determination never to Fall as we walk with the Lord.
THE MAN CAME ON A DIVINE MISSION
He came to counter, nullify, and to destroy the abominable idolatrous institutions of king Jeroboam in the supposed land of God, and to possibly influence and establish the reign of God instead. (see 1Kings 12:25-33). He came to teach the idolatrous king that God is the ultimate. That is why you are here too! You are here on a divine mission.
THE MAN HAD DIVINE DIRECTIVES TO ADHERE
Wherever a divine mission exists, there also exist divine instructions. God’s instructions were: Cry in my Words against Jeroboam’s altar while he stands by it. Show some signs that I have sent you. Eat no bread, drink no water, and do not go through the same rout you came (until you get home) verses 2, 3, 6-9, 15-17. You mighty man on a divine mission, w hat has God told you to avoid? Do you avoid them? What did He tell you to do? Do you do them? Obedience to His instructions is a guarantee for a fruitful mission, and disobedience a sure way to falling.
THE MAN HAD DIVINE POWER TO ENJOY.
Divine mission goes with divine powers. The work of God cannot travel where His grace does not live. Once He says “Go”, He certainly will add, “I will be with you.” The way He was with Moses in Egypt, so He was with this man at Bethel, with signs, wonders and miracles following. (see verses 3-5). Child of God fear not! God’s power is resident in you! The enemy is at the danger of your foot! If He sent you, He will back you up! Just hold on!
THIS MAN FELL AT LAST
This man tragically fell eventually because of an unnecessary rest and an old prophet’s deceit .(see verses15-21) He could not beat the pressuring trick of the old prophet. He failed to realize that a mere confession and introduction of one’s standing does not at all times represent reality. The man violated the divine principle that made him mighty. He went back with the old prophet, ate food and drank water. How could he just think that God had changed His mind over His eternal laws? There he fell! And thus he died! Ah, what an unaccomplished missionary!
Friends, determine never to fall. Realize that where there’s a mission there are restrictions, and where there are restrictions test and temptation are unavoidable, but God’s grace is available, and there’s a power backup. Beware of that old prophet around you. Beloved, don’t falter, don’t slack, don’t compromise. Hold on! You can’t afford the woes of the falling.
GOD BLESS!
BY
REV. IZUCHUKWU UWA {07037734132}
