1 Kings 20:13-14 - Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab
king of Israel and announced, "This is what the LORD says: 'Do you see
this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD.' " "But who will do this?" asked Ahab.
The prophet replied, "This is what the LORD says: 'The young officers of
the provincial commanders will do it.' " "And who will start the battle?" he asked. The prophet answered, "You
will."
The Lord allowed several enemies to rise against Israel….for
he wanted to teach them that he alone was God. King Ahab was too eager to give
in at first….quickly agreeing to give all his wives and children to the king of
Syria. But he reached his limit…and God
sent a prophet to confirm that he was doing the right thing by setting
boundaries. It was in this moment of confusion
that God sent another prophet to clarify and give more details for the victory
he was going to give Israel.
It confirms my belief that confusion is clearly an emotion
that is not of God. 1 Corinthians 14:33
says …. “For God is not a God of disorder but of
peace. As in all the congregations of the saints.”
It was Paul who wrote these great words for a church that was still struggling
with the confusion of satan… his words of clarity give me such hope for the future….as
1 Corinthians 13:12 say…. “ For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to
face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”
King Ahab started out with the right idea…he did ask God a
few important questions about how they would win a battle against such a large
army….but them he slacked off…and let the king of Syria go free. He choice put a curse of death on his life…an
exchange explained by the prophet as his life for the life he set free.
It reminds me to use my whole Bible…and not just pick and
choose the pieces I like the best. Jesus
told us in one of his great sermons recorded in Matthew to seek and ask so he
could give us the good things he has planned for us. Matthew 7:7 says…. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek,
and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” That makes it pretty clear to me. The answer
is there…if I just ask God where to find it.
Father…I thank
you for this story that reminds me that you are a God of wisdom and
knowledge. Help me to remember the
promises of your great word… that says you have all the answers I need ..if I
stop each time I feel confused and ask
you to clear the chaff satan has placed there to confuse me. Help me father to
know that you alone are God…and you have the power to clear up any and all
confusion satan has placed in my mind. Open my mind to the clearest answers you
have prepared for my current struggles…and give me the wisdom to know how to interpret
the words I find. Amen.
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