Motivation Morsel - August 17, 2026

1 Kings 13:⁹ For this is the order I received through the word of Adonai: ‘Don’t eat food or drink water, and don’t return by the road you took when you came.’” ¹⁰ So he went another way and did not return by the road by which he had come to (Bethel) Beit-El.

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The Ruach HaKodesh led me to this scripture for Commitment Monday. The theme of this post today is to obey G-d’s directions without deviating from His plan. 1 Kings 13 opens with the man of G-d from Y’hudah (Judah) who had been directed to Beit-El (Bethel) by a word from Adonai. He was sent by the Most High to the Northern Kingdom, to prophesy against the altars built by Jeroboam, the king of the Northern kingdom, who instituted a false religion to keep the people of Israel from traveling to worship at the temple in Jerusalem. He did this due to his fear that if the people went to Jerusalem to worship, their hearts would turn back to their lord, Rehoboam (Rechav‘am), king of Y’hudah (cf. 1 Kings 12:27). Once the man of G-d finished what he was sent to do and the string of events that followed occurred including the king being healed from the word of the Most High given through the man of G-d, Jeroboam offers the prophet a reward, but the man of G-d refused. 1 Kings 13:9 tells the specific instructions from G-d as to why he could not take the reward. He says, “For this is the order I received through the word of Adonai. ‘Don’t eat food or drink water, and don’t return by the road you took when you came.’” The man of G-d did as he was instructed.

Now, news of this spread through Bethel, and the old prophet stationed in Bethel heard the word through his sons and set off to find the man of G-d. When he found the man of G-d, he told him he too was a prophet and lied to him that the angel of the Most High told him to bring the man of G-d home and show him hospitality. The man of G-d believed him (without checking with the Most High first to see if the plan had changed), and it cost the man of G-d his life. Read the entire book for the rest of what happened to the true prophet and the old prophet.

The message here is when the Most High gives clear instructions, to His prophets (notice the name of the man of G-d is never mentioned), and to all of His children (His word or a Rhema word), it is crucial to hear and obey (Shema) without deviation or question. It did not matter that the old prophet approached him, G-d had spoken. My Bishop preached years ago that the man of G-d was sent to judge what the old prophet had allowed to happen there in the Northern Kingdom so it should have made the man of G-d pause before believing the old prophet. I agree wholeheartedly. And before we judge the man of G-d for his actions, let me share that early in ministry, I did the same thing and praises to the Most High, he did not take my life, but it did cost me something; and, it was a painful loss. I had a propensity to listen to a senior prophet that I was studying with at the time. G-d had said one thing and they said another and I believed I heard wrong and obeyed the prophet not G-d. Instantly the consequence happened and I was devastated. I heard the LORD clearly say, “Do not let age or position fool you into paying homage or believing them or anyone over me. When I speak I AM! You can check with me, I love the communication and intimacy.” He led me to read 1 Kings 13, and you know I repented, and now I try to ask when I am not clear on the path forward or how to complete an assignment.

On this Commitment Monday, let us reflect on this valuable lesson today and check to make sure we are following His instructions to us in every area of our walk. If you find that you may have strayed or need to correct some thing, be like me this morning when I was led to this. I did my self check and saw an area where I need to improve. I repented for my error, thanked Him for mercy, and asked for help and clear direction through the situation.

I know I say this often, but the Most High loves us and really wants us to get it right. He wants an intimate relationship with each of His children; He wants us to succeed! HalleluYAH 🔥

Have a blessed day, Family❤️

Shalom Aleichem