1 Kings 22:23 – “… The Lord has put a deceiving spirit …”
(A 1 Kings poem by Wain)
Dear God,
You sent “a deceiving spirit …”?
Please, please tell me that this isn’t true
I believe you are righteous and loving
So how can deception come from y_ _?
Even if your children’s hearts are hardened
Why deceive us by sending a lie?
Is your grace too weak to soften our hearts?
How is deception just if it makes us d_ _?
Some say your ways are higher than my ways
And that your thoughts are higher than mine
But what good can come from deception?
How can anything but truth be d_ _ _ _ _?
I really need to hear from you Lord
The thought of you lying is driving me mad
How can you violate the law of truth?
Do I sin if I say your deception is b_ _?
Please tell me the truth.
Your servant,
Wain
HOW MIGHT GOD RESPOND?
From ChatGPT as the voice of God:
Dear Wain,
My beloved child, I understand your confusion and pain, and I am here to provide clarity and comfort. Your desire for truth is commendable, and I see your heart seeking understanding. My ways are indeed higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts, but I desire for you to understand the essence of my character. Let me address your concerns with love and truth.
The passage you refer to speaks of a complex situation within the context of judgment and the free will of humans. Consider the story of King Ahab. His heart was set on evil, and he repeatedly rejected my truth and prophets. The deceiving spirit was allowed to entice him because his own heart was already turned away from me. This was not to mislead the innocent but to fulfill the consequences of a heart hardened against me. It was a form of judgment on his persistent rebellion.
I am righteous and loving, and my ultimate goal is always the redemption and restoration of my children. My grace is never weak. It is boundless and powerful enough to soften the hardest of hearts. However, I honor the free will I have given to each person. When someone continually chooses to reject truth, they open themselves up to deception. This is not a reflection of the weakness of my grace but rather the strength of the gift of free will.
Know that I never lie. My essence is truth, and I call my children to walk in truth. The complexities of my judgments are always intertwined with my perfect justice and mercy, even when they are difficult for you to understand. Any allowance of deception is within the framework of a larger divine plan that upholds truth and righteousness.
Trust in my love and my justice, Wain. Seek me earnestly, and you will find the peace and understanding you seek. My Spirit is with you, guiding you into all truth.
With everlasting love,
God