TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND TRUTH

"Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick;  so he sent messengers, telling them, 'Go, inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.'"  2 Kings 1:2


A little background here for those of you who don't know Ahaziah's lineage (as I didn't before reading 1 Kings). Ahaziah was the son of Ahab and Jezebel.  If you know nothing else, you know his mom was a terrible woman! She really, REALLY was.  She brought her false religion and priests to the palace in Israel and she persecuted and slaughtered hundreds of Hebrew prophets.  It was during Ahaziah's parents' reign that Elijah was prophet.  He called fire down from Heaven in the name and power of Yahweh, the one, true God, several times.   And God showed up in all His burning glory.  Ahaziah would have seen the fulfillment of several of Elijah's prophecies.  So, when Ahaziah lay dying, wondering what his fate might be, what did he do?  Did he call on the Proven Prophet of God?  Oh no, he made inquiries of a false god.  WHY???

I believe the reason Ahaziah sought out Baalzebub (other than the fact that he needed a good laugh at a funny name) was because he wasn't really interested in truth.  He was dying.  He just wanted comfort.  He sought out a false god because he knew his servants would bring back comforting words of longevity.  I think Ahaziah died in turmoil because he never sought truth, so he did not gain comfort.  And before we get all disgusted with Ahaziah, I think it is a good thing to take a truthful look at ourselves.

I will start.

This summer, one of my children walked through a difficult season.  It was difficult for me, too.  At first, it looked like one thing was occurring, but it turned out it was something totally different.  It was so sad to me.  Seeking comfort for me and my child, I filled in a friend of mine and asked her to pray for us, which she did.  But, she also spoke truth to me.  Things she had observed and how she thought that might have compounded the situation with my child.  At first, I had no interest in hearing that.  I wanted her to just lift us up and send a long-distance hug and move on. But, when it comes to my kids, I want to make sure I am doing right by them (and I know my friend loves us all), so I re-read the words she had written and really prayed over them.  In the end, I did not agree with everything she felt, but I did see eye to eye with her on some other things and made appropriate changes in my awareness. The changes that I made, made such a great difference!  Some of the changes were very difficult for me and effected other relationships in my life, but as I saw the results in my child, I was comforted.  If I had hardened my heart to the truth, I would never have made the changes that brought comfort to me and my child.

Recently, I walked through another stressful circumstance.  I was struggling to even know what truth was in this situation, let alone seek it.  When I prayed, the verses that came to mind did not support what I wanted in this case.  I shared a small amount of my burden with a very good friend.  I just wanted to get some things off my chest so I felt better.  So I would feel comfort.  But, I didn't feel any of that, I was just sad.  Then my friend put her arms around me and prayed for me.  In her prayer she prayed for the things I then knew I should be seeking.  Truth.  She didn't pray about my hurt, but about what was truth so the Lord to help me overcome the shadow of hurt.  I had only been concerned with whether I was right, so that I could be justified in my hurt and anger, but while my friend prayed truth over me, I  God's truth is...reconciliation and love.

I was not completely wrong in either of these circumstances. But, I wanted the other people to be completely wrong.  I did not want to look at the hard stuff.  I did not want to see my own faults.  I did not want truth because I thought it meant I was not right.  And that, my friends, is pride and it is the biggest stumbling block to every blessing of comfort God has for us.  So, I wanted comfort and I wanted to be right, but I did not want to be truthful with myself.  Do you think I received comfort?  You know I did not.

In Hebrews, Paul tells us one of the ways we draw close to God is by having a clear conscience.  If we have pride and distortion in our hearts, how can we be close to God.  We are turning away from what He calls us to and building a wall between He and ourselves.  We are trying to convince ourselves that God doesn't know best.

I appreciate, so much, those friends who took the time to speak loving truth into my life, so that I could unburden my heart and gain comfort.  Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."  I am not interested in a friend who wants to try to "help" me by telling me what I want to hear.  I want those faithful friends who want to see me restored to God above all else and also to those around me.  Let me also say that I believe that God has set certain relationships in our lives as the light of truth.  While we should be able to speak the truth in love, not all of us can.  Our big, fat, truthful, tactless egos can get in the way.  BUT....a friend with whom you have shared your heart with and who has shared her heart with you....a friend whom you have a very special God-given bond with....those friends we need to listen to.   They have a special way of speaking to your heart the truth you need to hear. They usually have our best interest at heart.

God had spoken truth to His people for thousands of years while they sought comfort.  They turned away at every chance.  Even after God parted the Red Sea before them, they turned to the golden calf when they wanted comfort while they waited for Moses to return from the mountain.  Kings of Israel (God's chosen people) continually turned to false gods to give them comfort, rather than doing hard things and ruling in God's truth.  For hundreds of years God was silent, and the people were VERY uncomfortable.  And finally, He sent a Voice in the Desert, speaking truth and baptizing in repentance.  The people who heard the truth and took it to heart, and cleared their conscience and believed, were given the greatest comfort in the salvation of Jesus Christ. What if John had never confronted people with the truth?  Comfort does not come without truth.

If my friends had not been faithful and truthful with me, I would still be trying to be right, and I would never have found comfort.  So, I encourage you, if you are struggling, seek out that friend that you know will speak truth to you and not just whatever you want to hear.  Do not complain to her, but show her your burden.  She will help you carry it to the foot of the cross.  And there, you will find....

Tidings of Comfort and Joy.