When it's easy and when it's hard

It seems to be an interesting characteristic of the human mind.  Its related to the fact that we are depraved.  But it is interesting, puzzling, and frustrating all the same.   Its something I see when I read a passage like this one:

2Kings 9:4   …the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead.  5 When he arrived, he found the army officers sitting together. “I have a message for you, commander,” he said.

 “For which of us?” asked Jehu.

 “For you, commander,” he replied. 

2Kings 9:6   Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declared, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anoint you king over the LORD’s people Israel.  …  :11   When Jehu went out to his fellow officers, one of them asked him, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?”

 “You know the man and the sort of things he says,” Jehu replied. 

2Kings 9:12   “That’s not true!” they said. “Tell us.”

 Jehu said, “Here is what he told me: ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’” 

2Kings 9:13   They hurried and took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!” 

The reaction of the army officers to the presence of the Young Prophet is bemused indifference.  They really don't have much use for him.  He is described as a mad man (i.e. insane) by the officers.  He is dismissed by Jehu when he says, "You know the man and the sort of things he says…"  This was a man they had heard many times.  He had discoursed on other subjects.  These things registered nothing in the minds of his hearers. In fact, it bred only contempt.  They had no use for the words of the prophets or a man who had been placed in spiritual authority in Israel. 

How different when they found something that was a benefit to them! They seized upon it instantly and validated his words with their actions.  "Now he's a true prophet.  Let's go act on what he says!"  You can hear how excited they are as they think about the new money and roles they will have with the new king.  And Jehu is happy to go along.  He benefits the most of all.

How like us.  We seek the word when its convenient.  We ignore it when its inconvenient.  We love it when it helps us.  We eschew it when it challenges us.  

These men knew nothing of their God, nor were they his followers.  Let's be different.  Let's seek out his word when it's easy and when its hard.  Let obey it when its difficult as well as when it's easy.