The Problem of Ignorance II

 The Problem of Ignorance II {A buildup to ‘Settled In His Words I’}

Isaiah 5:13, “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished and their multitude dried up with thirst”

Hosea 4:6, “… therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.”

Paraphrase:

My people (God’s people) are imprisoned, they are confined, because they have no knowledge, they lack the needed information (or fact). Even the ones who ought to be honourable are not, they are famished, they are skinny, their multitude are dried up with thirst.

Out:

There are times, not only in scriptures but also in our contemporary times, when an individual may be wearing himself out searching for something not lost but right there beside him/her. This is because of ignorance, ignorance of its position and proximity.

May God grant us understanding.

Some individuals in the Scriptures knew this (Settled In His Words I) while some at a time when it was needed most were ignorant of it.

Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

            Though this Scripture can be taken in different ways, as Jesus himself is ‘the Truth’ [John 5:33, John 14:6], but now in context with our discussion, the truth means the needed facts, a necessary or actual information.

If you do not know how to open a door closed at you, you lack the needed fact; you lack the truth, you lack the actual knowledge then you will remain behind the closed door, even when you have the required tools.

The psalmist knew this truth so he said, “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even forever” Psalm 125:2.

Prophet Jeremiah also knew this when he said, “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore…” Jeremiah 20:11.

Elisha as well, who got a double portion of anointing from Elijah the prophet, was not ignorant of this fact. The bands from Syria came because of one man, Elisha. They were many and they were mighty. Elisha’s servant saw and said, “Alas, my master! How shall we do?”. This was nothing less than a distress call at the sight of an insurmountable challenge. What is the present situation of your life? What is that terrible adversary standing on your way to life and would not let you go? What is that thing for which even the best of professionals have written you off and would make no do again? The LORD is telling you, “Do not be like Elisha’s servant! Do not act faithless!! Do not live like he who knows not Jesus!!!”

“And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.” Jeremiah 31:17.

Back to Elisha’s servant, he did not know. He was ignorant!

Psalm 82:5 reads thus, “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.” Here is the result of ignored ignorance: darkness and confusion.

Elisha’s servant was afraid as a result of his ignorance, he needed direction so urgent. Elisha was not left in the dark so he said, “Fear not (Do not be afraid): for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” AMEN!!

 He then made a simple but powerful prayer for his servant (2 Kings 6:17). The Scripture says, “And Elisha prayed and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see…”. What a powerful prayer to always tender before God! It is never out of place.

Elisha prayed and said, “LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man and he saw! (May God deliver you from blindness in Jesus name). He saw! He saw that that mountain that looked empty of defense for them, while the city had been compassed with horses and chariots from the king of Syria, was actually full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (an automatic unformidable defense for him too!). If only you would seek unto God to open your eyes…!

Now its your turn, would you choose to focus on that company of adversaries or rather focus on the truth of God’s word which assures you over and over again that your LORD Jesus is right there with you always?

He (God) says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.” Isaiah 43:2.

Sweet is that promise, “I will not forget thee!” Isaiah 49:15.

God never said there will not be fire but He said, it shall not burn you!

He never said the rivers will not touch you but he said, it shall not drown you!

He never said you will not pass through the waters but he said, He will be with you! Halleluiah!!!

 

Hear what the Psalmist said, “Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” Psalm 66:12.

“One more stroke! one more stroke!” keep telling yourself. The LORD says that there is hope in thine end!!! Amen!

 

Now that you know all these, now that you know these are not just promises but facts from the Almighty God, what should your disposition be?

1.      Always start your day by acknowledging God’s settled words and thanking Him for them.

2.      Tell God to illuminate your eyes more and bring you unto a better realization of his presence with you ‘this day’.

3.      Move on in your day with fearless confidence (faith), believing that God has already done exactly as he said; moving out of your feelings and with great expectation to see the glory of God since you now believe.

 

God bless you. Amen!

 

 

Article written by Ifeoluwa Animashaun