Proclaiming & listening

1 Kings 22:8
"So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.”

Speaking and teaching the Word of God can be lonely, if not risky business. At times we are called to say what others do not want to hear. In these times it would be easy to listen to the taunts of others or the chorus of the world (22:13) and simply say what itching ears want to hear (2 Tim. 4:3).
Yet, regardless of the conventional wisdom, the popular opinion, or the sentiment of those to whom we speak and teach, we must proclaim the truth of God. Denying the truth is denying the truth whether we are the one needing to hear it (Ahab) or the one called to speak it (the prophets). Denying the truth of God is no more effective at avoiding the moral consequences of our behavior than denying the sun's existence is at helping us avoid sunburn. Truth must be heard and spoken, received and proclaimed.

God, give me a wise and discerning heart to know Your truth and proclaim it boldly and confidently for the benefit of all who will listen. Amen.