This account from I Kings 13 in our lesson feels like a perfect example of why we need the “A Rule for Motives and Acts” and “Alertness to Duty” from the Daily Duties by Mary Baker Eddy, and also what she wrote on page 116 of Miscellaneous Writings about Obedience: “Obeying the divine Principle which you profess to understand and love, demonstrates Truth. Never absent from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never unready to work for God, — is obedience; being ‘faithful over a few things.’ If in one instance obedience be lacking, you lose the scientific rule and its reward: namely, to be made ‘ruler over many things.'”
The man of God from Judah dropped his guard and left his post when he allowed himself to be “influenced erroneously” by the old prophet in Beth-el. Now, it seems that the old prophet’s rebuke in verse 22 “thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers” perhaps sounds like it is condemning the man, but it should have been received by the man of God from Judah as condemning the error only. The wrong thinking and disobedience was the carcass, not the man. This was an opportunity to learn the need “to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion,” and to make amends with God, and grow higher spiritually knowing that “Trials are proofs of God’s care.” (S&H, p. 66) — it was definitely not the time to take the condemnation personally, yet verse 24 shows us the rebuked man completely dropped his guard since “when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him:”
During my time studying Christian Science here, and working with a practitioner, it’s become clear that we need to keep our armor on all the time, even when we are with each other at Church or with our families. I am only useful to God, to this Church and its members, and my family, when I am at my post, on guard and joyfully doing the work I have been given. Learning to take a rebuke as a positive correction that is another step toward victory, and not as a personal defeat that sets us back at square one is important. Learning to listen to God and “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) as we do what He is directing us to do brings fulfillment far beyond anything else, making every trial and rebuke along the way well worth it!
While looking for the quote from page 66, I found this which answers why we must have these trials: “We must have trials and self-denials, as well as joys and victories, until all error is destroyed.” (Science and Health, page 39)
Thank you for this lesson, and for all that is taught in this Church!