When holding opinions holds us back

Dear friend

There is the epic story in the scriptures about the masterful Prophet Elijah and his frustration at King Ahab. Ahab had turned almost all of Israel to paganistic idolatry, including the worship of Baal and the establishment of those infamous "groves" that were no more than an ecclesiastical excuse for debauched decadence.

Elijah set up a spectacular contest; between himself on behalf of the True God of Israel, versus Baal as represented by his priests. It would be Elijah alone verses 450 Baalists; a really unfair contest (when you think who had got Elijah's back). To this moxie mismatch was invited no less than the entire population of Israel.

Before the battle of the bonfires and subsequent perishing of the priests, Elijah posed a question to those who were meant to be God's chosen people. It is found in the Old Testament, 1 Kings 18:21.

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

The question was an incisive interrogation, cutting to the hearts of the hearers. The Israelites wore their chosenness like a chain of exclusivity. But at the same time they wanted the wanton. Their silence spoke volumes.

On this matter of having a split loyalty, the Prophet Hosea similarly sermonised in
Hosea 10:2.

2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

I think the general principle - about the dilemma of decisions in relation to moral choices - is simply presented by the pragmatist James, as found in the New Testament, James 1:8.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

So we might ask ourselves, "Am I sitting with instability on any fences in my choosing between right or wrong?" "Am I faithfully following the Father, or do I desire the devil's inducements?" We need to think deeply about these sorts of questions because the devil might have already buried the uncomfortable answers far from our mental moral compass.

I hope we can recognise any recalcitrance that might have muddled our pursuit of righteousness. I pray we will choose, without delay, to be dedicated disciples when faced with "opinions". And once we commit to the right option, we stick to it and don't look back with any lingering longing.

Samuel.

Seek God, the earlier the better

Dear friend

I worry that too many people - and I include myself on occasion - can become casual in their relationship with God. I recognise that we simply cannot be totally at our righteous peak all of the time, but a casual attitude to God can quickly turn into a comfortable habit. One way to recognise this happening is by noticing less than earnest prayer practices; such as being inconsistent, using vain repetition, missing the occasional prayer, not kneeling if you can, or not really concentrating. Such laxity can also be the thin edge of that sneaky wedge; the wedge that gradually drives us away from God and towards Satan's influences.

There was a time when the ancient kingdoms of Judah and Israel were far beyond casual in neglecting their divine duties. They were going through that iniquitous phase of another of their apostacy, humility, prosperity, pride cycles. They were not seeking the face of their God. They were too busy looking for happiness in wickedness. Speaking in the voice of the Lord the Prophet Hosea knew what the outcome would be, as described in the Old Testament, Hosea 5:15.

15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

How true it is that the quality of our seeking the Lord all too often correlates with our level of needing His help. And too often that help is needed to get us out of a problem we got ourselves into in the first place. In this regard I especially like the phrase "they will seek me early". We can read a similar sentiment in Doctrine and Covenants 88:83.

83 He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.

This version turns the phrase into the positive. Without needing a pressing blessing, we do well to seek God first thing; not second, or last. Doing those things that nurture the circumstances so that God can be involved in our lives should be early in our daily to dos; at the top end of the list.

I hope we never take our God for granted. Yes, He is always there for us, but are we always there for Him? I pray we will be early engagers in Father's fellowship.

Samuel.