DAD'S RAMBLINGS – Friend or Enemy?
I Kings 21:17-20a
"Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah, the Tishbite, saying, 'Arise, go down to meet Ahab, king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession of it. You shall speak to him, saying, "Thus says the LORD, 'Have you murdered and also taken possession? ...In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.' " ' So Ahab said to Elijah, 'Have you found me, O my enemy?' "
Ahab thought Elijah was his enemy because he identified Ahab's sin and pronounced judgment. The human psyche does not accept criticism and judgment well because they attack a person's ego and self-worth, his very personhood. But the messenger that identifies a blind spot is not an enemy. God says, "Open rebuke is better than love concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend...." (Proverbs 27:5-6a). This is difficult for me personally, because I don't like to be criticized. I would be a better person if I could accept rebuke as a friend showing love rather than as an enemy attacking me.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Someone who identifies a problem in my life should not be considered an enemy, but a friend.
Have a "friendly" day. Love you.
I Kings 21:17-20a
"Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah, the Tishbite, saying, 'Arise, go down to meet Ahab, king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession of it. You shall speak to him, saying, "Thus says the LORD, 'Have you murdered and also taken possession? ...In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.' " ' So Ahab said to Elijah, 'Have you found me, O my enemy?' "
Ahab thought Elijah was his enemy because he identified Ahab's sin and pronounced judgment. The human psyche does not accept criticism and judgment well because they attack a person's ego and self-worth, his very personhood. But the messenger that identifies a blind spot is not an enemy. God says, "Open rebuke is better than love concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend...." (Proverbs 27:5-6a). This is difficult for me personally, because I don't like to be criticized. I would be a better person if I could accept rebuke as a friend showing love rather than as an enemy attacking me.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Someone who identifies a problem in my life should not be considered an enemy, but a friend.
Have a "friendly" day. Love you.
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