LISTEN TO ME!

2 Chronicle 24: 15 – 22



It starts as simple fun usually when we were younger. We play with a “Magic 8 Ball” or a Ouija Board.
Later on it's the daily Horoscope. A friend offers to read your palm, give you a Tarot card reading, then they tell you the latest fad about letting angels guide your life.
People all over are searching for spiritual fulfillment in any way they can.
The only trouble is, we sometimes turn our backs on the one true God and the peace we find there.

17 After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.
18 They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshipped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem.
19 Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.

It seems to me that this kind of behavior has been going on for a long time. For reasons I really don't understand, why do we abandon the truth for these foolish pursuits. The truth is right there in front of us, and we turn a blind eye.
I guess that it's just easier to bow down to an object where sins can be glossed over and we can tell ourselves that what we get away with is okay because we haven't been caught.
Then, comes one person who sees through the lies of what the entire community has come to believe.
Speaking the truth in love is a hard concept to handle.
Ever have someone tell you the truth in love? Ouch!

20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.’"
21 But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD’s temple.

When we try to do this. When we warn the people of their sinful ways. We are shunned, then the entire populace seeks to discredit us or even try to destroy us and our message.
Speaking out to the majority ain't easy folks. It takes some hutzpah to stand on what you believe against the feelings and beliefs of those around you.
But we have to buck the tide. Swim against the flow.
We need to shout, “Listen to me!”