June 13
1 Kings 11:1-12:19 | PS 131:1-3 | Prov 17:4-5 | Acts 9:1-25
We read a warning issued to Daniel for our times in Daniel 12:4, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” There is no shortage of "knowledge" available to everyone and anyone through social media. Dictates are now passed down through those in charge and thoughtlessly instituted in virtually every arena. In healthcare private physicians in the field of internal medicine have largely been eliminated from the hospital. Recently speaking to my own physician of over thirty years, he explained to me how it was rendered impossible for him to continue to have a presence in the hospital due to rules put forth by the hospital. The changes that were occurring prior to his being pushed out were alarming. It seemed as though one of the first things he was approached with whenever his patients became very sick was a request for a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order. He was shocked because he saw the value in trying as hard as possible for every life, while those requesting it from him failed to see this. I have seen the same thing in my field, especially concerning the life of the baby still inside the mother. The practice of medicine has gotten much colder. QALY or Quality Adjusted Life Years is a concept which has been widely discussed at upper levels influencing medical economics. Rather than seeing the value of every life, there is a price tag placed to see how much an individual is worth, how much intervention is warranted, etc. These changes are not exclusive to my field of medicine. I hear daily from seasoned teachers their frustration on the coldness of the educational system. Individualized teaching is now frowned upon. Protocols are handed down, testing is frequent, and passing kids through the system is pushed. We are seeing the fruits of a nation and a world which exalts "knowledge" and shuns wisdom.
Solomon passes from the scene, and his son, Rehoboam is now the new king. He is immediately confronted with a difficult situation. We see his options in 1 Kings 12:6-9, "Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, “How do you advise me to answer these people?” And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. And he said to them, “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”" The young men advised him to push his authority, and their view prevailed, as wisdom was rejected, resulting in the splitting of the kingdom. In truth, the best advice would have been to seek God. Paul was brilliant, influential and powerful. In his knowledge he had it all figured out. He was to do everything possible to eliminate "the Way" which was what the early followers of Jesus were called. Paul was spiritually blind. Jesus rendered him physically blind on the road to Damascus, so that he would eventually both physically and spiritually see the truth.
Conformity to a system, especially a worldly system, has never been a good idea. So called experts will put forth graphs and statistics to push forth their cold agendas. Those who abide in Christ, especially if they have done so for some time, have been seasoned with wisdom which often looks very different from what the majority is pushing forth. Which voices are you listening to? One appears safe, as you comfortably lock arms with the majority, being praised along the way. But over time you may not recognize the person you have become. Or you can listen to the voice of God through His Word and through prayer and through the counsel of His children. By doing this you will enter the minority and few in the world will be patting you on the back. Who is it that you desire acceptance from? The words that we should all seek, one day will come from our Savior, as illustrated in Matthew 25:21, "His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’"
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: