FALSE COMFORT

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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In our continued study of the message of the Prophet Micah, we hear a call to embrace the message of the Lord, even if it causes us discomfort or pain. We cannot pick and choose which parts of God’s character and nature that we find to be most convenient for our lives. If we are all in with the Lord, then we must accept the totality of his word to us. 

In today’s passage, the Prophet Micah speak to those who claim to represent the Lord falsely. Listen to the message the Lord gives to those who wish for a different word from God: 

6 “Do not prophesy,” their prophets say. “Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us. ” 7 You descendants of Jacob, should it be said, “Does the LORD become impatient? Does he do such things?” “Do not my words do good to the one whose ways are upright? 

8 Lately my people have risen up like an enemy. You strip off the rich robe from those who pass by without a care, like men returning from battle. 9 You drive the women of my people from their pleasant homes. You take away my blessing from their children forever. 10 Get up, go away! For this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy.

11 If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people!

(Micah 2:6-11 NIV11)

Truth

Not everyone wants to hear the truth. This is especially true if that message of truth contradicts the desires and plans of those who are seeking after their own kingdoms and agendas. Micah experienced opposition from those who had a real disdain for the truth that the Lord had called him to share. 

The people did not want to hear about the way in which the Lord was about to discipline his people. Those who opposed Micah’s message tried to discredit him and even drown out his voice with messengers of their own. 

Jesus

While speaking to those who pretended to have faith in him, Jesus Christ explained that they would all eventually come to despise him because they would not like what he had to say. 

In John 7:7 Jesus said, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.”

If we are trying to please both God and our sinful flesh, we will be challenged by the clarity of God’s call to have only one master in this life. For those who make pleasure or wealth their master, they do not want to be challenged or confronted by the call to deny one’s self and take their cross daily as followers of Christ. 

Replacements

In verse 11 we heard, “If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people!”

In Micah’s situation, the people around him did not want to be confronted by the consequences of their selfishness and sin. They did not like Micah’s reminder that the Lord will not be mocked and that injustice will be addressed by the Lord. 

So instead of listening to the voice of the Lord, the people sought out more comforting voices who were willing to speak falsehoods in the name of God. This only compounded their misery because the discipline of the Lord came anyway, and they were caught off guard and unaware. 

Prayer 

Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge that you alone have the words of eternal life. Your truth is what I need, even if it not brings me the most comfort in this life. Where I have sought to ignore the clear truth of your word, I repent. I turn away from what makes me feel good in exchange for what makes me whole. Help me meet you in the powerful truth of your word!

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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