INTRODUCTION

Meddling carries a negative connotation in scripture, and means to unnecessarily involve oneself in the affairs of others. Unfortunately, it has been a common practice in the history of nations to provoke others to battle when battle was not of the Lord and was not necessary. Amaziah, king of Judah, sent messengers to Jehoash, king of Israel, asking for a face to face meeting. Jehoash responded with wisdom in saying, "tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt." Amaziah would not hear the counsel and meddled to his own hurt. History is filled with such testimonies of nations and individuals who unnecessarily involved themselves in the affairs of others to their own hurt.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Do you like to suffer? Some sufferings glorify God (1 Peter 4:12-14 [12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. [14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
  See All..., 16). Some do not. Read what kind of suffering God forbids, which includes being a busybody in other men's matters (1 Peter 4:15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
  See All...). If you suffer in this way, it is your own fault.
• Have you ever meddled (unnecessarily involved yourself) in someone else’s business? How did that turn out for you? Did it come back to hurt you in the end?
• Josiah refused to heed Necho’s warning (2 Chronicles 35:21-24 [21] But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. [22] Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. [23] And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. [24] His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
  See All...). How did it turn out for him? Amaziah refused to heed Jehoash’s warning. How did it turn out for him?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to cease from meddling.
• Ask God to help you deal with your own problems.

HYMN

Yield Not to Temptation

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