I have encountered many foolish words of more than a few, who say they expect men of God to be silent on politics, or even worse, who cannot find agreement on their words to the economy, science or to sports or music …claiming they delve into areas in which they have no competence … many even claim God’s Prophets are embarrassing their faith and Christians.
First, we must accept that almost everything God says offends and irritates the “flesh” … or the realm of the natural. The old time Pastor would say … listen well to the chiming of the world, then understand that God intends the exact opposite. This can be confusing, especially to Christians who believe they know God … only to be shocked when God speaks and they are unable to come to terms with the supremacy of the Divine.
In truth, God does not just reign over the Church, He reigns over all. He speaks into everything and all things He chooses to speak into. To one, He speaks to the young Samuel – a child of God, even through a backslidden Eli, concerning the affairs of His house. But like Elijah, to others He speaks to the economy, declaring famine or abundance of rain. He may choose to install kings and remove others as He wishes, like He spoke and did many times through the Prophet Samuel.
God knows who He speaks to …it is His business to bring what He says to pass …and if He chooses, it is also His pleasure to defer what He has elected. He may not speak to you in an area … and then He may speak something else to another in any area He chooses.
Are there false prophets? Indeed, there are many … God knows them and often times He will reveal them to us a well. Scriptures are full of indications on spotting that which is false, counterfeits which prove the existence of the precious … but sadly, we judge the value of truth mainly by how our senses are able to embrace the message, as if we are any match to the one who sends the message … then when all fails, we seek to kill the messenger of God.
There is nothing new in attacking and mocking the prophetic. When those who profess faith say “No” … to the prophetic message, it does not change the fulfilment. When some say Pastors should not speak on politics, on marriage, on things that happen in the privacy of the bedroom, or to nations, or to elections or to global affairs, but should only teach scripture … I laugh. The entire earth is the Lord’s, nothing is hid or not His business … the world and all that dwells therein belongs to God. God can speak to the music, the arts, to science, to philosophy … and God will choose the voice He likes … and whatever message He wants to get across.
God does not need a Public Relations Officer, He does not need votes on His plans or a positive performance in polls. He is God who reigns. He is not a monarch that can be removed or a President who must please His subjects to avoid being impeached.
The Prophets of God did not apply for that job … it was a calling they would do anything and give anything to avoid …running as far as they can, rather than speak the message … like Jonah who instead ran to Tarshish than face Nineveh. Alas, there are many dungeons waiting for Prophets of God.
Jeremiah 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Jeremiah 38:6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
How can a nation be so arrogant to legislate against speaking whatever God wants and from His pulpit … as if the Prophet can control the Almighty who sends the message to who He pleases. Who will God’s messenger fear … man or God?
Is there any danger in scorning and disdaining the Prophetic? Indeed there is. It angers God and can provoke release of an even greater adverse judgment.
Jeremiah 28:11 And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way. 12 Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, 13 Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
Any who seeks to hear only what he or she can deal with should buy a good television set (they can switch it on and off) … and subscribe to the news and entertainment networks and tune to the “humanism” preachers. Those who want to hear and please God need to first humble themselves before Him. Lord have mercy on us. Indeed our God reigns.
By olabode ososami
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The contributor retired from a management consulting firm to join full time ministry at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Olabode is married with three sons.
