A Random Reproof?

I was taken this morning with a gentle reproof that I think is worth sharing.  It was in 1Kings 22:34, " Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor."  This happened to King Ahab, who resisted the words of God all his life, worshiping false gods among many other evils he did. A prophet of God predicted that he would die in this particular battle, but Ahab ignored the warning from God and went to fight anyway. Even though he disguised himself so the enemy wouldn't recognize him, in the thick of the battle an enemies arrow found him and the same day he died. The warning is twofold. If you happened upon this blog and are not a follower of Jesus Christ, that is, haven't placed your faith in Him alone for the forgiveness of your sin, be warned. The just judgment from God that will soon come upon all the world at the last day will certainly include you. If God has been trying to get your attention, you find your thoughts directed towards things spiritual, eternity, life after death and so on, please heed Gods activity toward you. Those thoughts and impressions are His Holy Spirit calling you, trying to communicate to you the free offer of salvation through faith in Jesus. Listen, look into it, pray, Jesus promised, "seek and you shall find." Otherwise, no matter how you try to avoid it, how clever you may think your argument is against Him, somehow, someway, like an arrow seemingly at random, God's hand will fall upon you, as it did with Ahab. It doesn't have to be. It's a decision you must make, in the light of God's grace working upon you.
Another aspect of this reproof is for those of us who have made that decision, and are following our Savior. The arrow that killed Ahab hit him at a joint in his armor. It was at a place between the scale armor and the breastplate that soldiers wore. It was at a very small opening.  We know that we are clothed in the armor of God, and that a specific piece of that armor is called in Ephesians, "the breastplate of righteousness." We also know that our enemy shoots fiery darts or arrows at those who have placed their trust in Jesus, walking in the christian way.  The warning is, don't allow any gaps in the armor of God in which you are clothed. Keep on guard against every temptation, especially those you know to which you are most prone.  We all have those specific areas in our lives or souls that give us trouble from time to time. Be alert, be on guard against them and prepared, lest some arrow seemingly at random find a mark in us. It may be a mortal wound, from which we will lose everything, perhaps our own souls. So, if you're facing the decision to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, or if your facing some temptation, heed the voice of God's gentle reproof. Do the right thing. It isn't a random thing that you're reading this entry today, it is God guiding you into victory and safety. May God bless, and keep  us all.