Details

"You came back to this place and ate and drank where he told you not to eat and drink. Because of this, your body will not be buried in the grave of your ancestors." I Kings 13

My daughter was so proud of her baking efforts. However, after taking one bite of what appeared to be delicious homemade cookies, we knew something was terribly wrong. With faces shriveled and contorted, we attempted to chew and swallow them, but we just couldn't force ourselves to do it. Hurt, she took a bite and quickly removed it from her mouth as well. As it turns out, teaspoon and tablespoon are not the same things, particular when it comes to the ingredient of salt.

Details are a big deal. The prophet in our story knew what God had told him. Deliver a message of judgment to the king. Go home a different way and do not stop at the drive thru on your way out of town. Simple. Clear. Go in and get out. Well on his way to a successful mission, a deceptive voice attracted his attention. The voice sounded legitimate. He spoke "God-talk" and everything. Never mind the fact that his words were the exact opposite of what God had told him. His stomach was growling. The lie was what he wanted to hear. Result? Death by lion.
 
So many commands of God come to us with clarity and simplicity. Forgive. Love God. Love your neighbor. Serve. Encourage. We are the ones who want to muddy up the waters. The devil wants to muddy up the waters. Ditto with the world we live in. "Did God really say ... ?" the devil asked Eve. We challenge God's word as if we think he needs our help. He gives detailed instructions so that our lives line up with the way he created this world to work. Be careful. The devil truly is in the details trying to deceive and then devour. Don't let that be you. 

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