Just Say, No!
And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. ~1 Kings 21:3
Years ago, a strong anti-drug theme was promoted on billboards, magazines, and television commercials. It targeted an audience that was under 21 years of age. The theme was entitled, “Just say no!” It emphasized that when a person was being pressured to take drugs, the immediate response should be, “No!” Our devotion this morning is about a little known Bible character who told King Ahab, “No.” This morning, we are considering when we are tempted to give up that which is good for something inferior and hurtful.
There is the source of pressure.
Satan, the world, and the flesh are ongoing sources of pressure in our life. These sources of pressure seek to weaken, water down, and defeat our faith. They want us to compromise what we believe. Naboth had land that was passed down to him. Land received by inheritance was to stay in the family. It was a right of inheritance. Ahab tried to entice him that he would give him a better vineyard. The devil wants you to believe that he has something better for you than what God gives. Naboth was feeling pressure to sell and give up what was passed down to him. Let us remember that the faith passed down to us from our Baptist forefathers came to us at great cost. Our doctrine is not to be traded. Our standards are not to be traded. The sacrificial death of Christ on the cross is not to be traded. Biblical methods for reaching people with the gospel are not to be traded. The pressure will always be there: don’t trade your inheritance.
There is the suffering from pressure.
Taking a stand against the pressure we face will cost us. Naboth was besmirched, defamed, and brought to public shame. Naboth was treated unfairly. Naboth was sued and brought before a court of law and found guilty of a law that he never broke! Naboth wound up being stoned for his stand. Naboth died a martyr’s death because he would not give in to the pressure. His land was stolen from him. There will be suffering when you are under pressure. Be prepared for people who turn on you. Be prepared for lies that will be spread about you. Be prepared for losses that you might incur. There is suffering from pressure.
There is the steadfastness against pressure.
We must not miss the key thought about Naboth and the pressure that he felt. “The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.” Naboth said, “No!” He thought about the fact that this land was passed down and entrusted to him. He thought about the fact that he would have nothing to pass down to the next generation if he traded his inheritance. He thought about the present and future generations and the impact that his decision would have on them. He thought about how God would be dishonored from a bad decision on this matter. Naboth was steadfast: he said, “No!’ He relied on God to help him be steadfast. He strengthened his faith in being steadfast. Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee." He set his face like a flint and remained steadfast. He was not being stubborn; he was being steadfast. He was not being stupid; he was being steadfast. He showed that he had resolve and the principle about the inheritance of his fathers.
Don’t give in to pressure! We are pressured by family, fame, fortune, and fantasy. The Lord forbid! Stay calm, convinced, and committed when pressure comes.
Have a steadfast God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: John 1-2