The Lone Voice

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 22

Scripture Focus: Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak.” (1 Kings 22.14)

Devotional Thought: On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch. Seven people lost their lives in the disaster. It was determined that a faulty O-ring was the cause of the explosion. But, as the investigation dug into the details leading up to the launch, it was discovered that a faulty process was the cause of the cause. The engineers and managers responsible for the program, had concerns and fears about the O-ring, but no one was willing to go against the ‘groupspeak’ that had overtaken the shuttle program. No one wanted to be the lone voice. Seven innocent people died as a result.

Have you ever been the lone voice of reason in a cacophony of insanity? That was the position that the prophet Micaiah found himself in. Micaiah had been called before the kings of Israel and Judah to prophesy about the proposed battle with the Syrians. To a man, all the other prophets had said that the battle should be joined, that Israel and Judah would prevail. Micaiah at first sarcastically said, “Yeah, go ahead…” But, the kings saw through his sarcasm and called him on it. So, he told them the truth: “This is going to hurt.”

Sometimes the truth hurts, doesn’t it? We don’t want to offend people that we love. Sometimes, it’s just easier to go along with the crowd. But, when we refuse to speak the truth, the danger is even greater to ourselves and to those we love.

What needs to be said in your situation? Is there something that you have not said because you were afraid of hurting someone, or of looking foolish? Be the lone voice. "Speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4.15).

Prayer: Father in heaven, give me eyes to see the truth, wisdom to understand the truth, and courage to proclaim the truth. In the name of the One who is the Truth. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 127.1-5

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.