Who Can Stand Against The Lord Almighty?
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 junior officers under the provincial commanders will do it.' " "And who will start the battle," he asked. The prophet answered. "You will."
So Ahab summoned the 232 junior officers . . . Then he assembled the rest of the Israelites, 7000 in all. They set out at noon while Ben-Hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.
. . . Now Ben-Hadad had dispatched scouts, who reported, "Men are advancing from Samaria." He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive."
The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind them and each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen. The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans. I Kings 20:13-21
"But who will do this," asked Ahab. The prophet replied, "This is what the LORD says: 'The junior officers under the provincial commanders will do it.' " "And who will start the battle," he asked. The prophet answered. "You will."
So Ahab summoned the 232 junior officers . . . Then he assembled the rest of the Israelites, 7000 in all. They set out at noon while Ben-Hadad and the 32 kings allied with him were in their tents getting drunk.
. . . Now Ben-Hadad had dispatched scouts, who reported, "Men are advancing from Samaria." He said, "If they have come out for peace, take them alive; if they have come out for war, take them alive."
The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind them and each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen. The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Arameans. I Kings 20:13-21
Ben-Hadad had defiantly boasted about how he was going to defeat Israel and carry the king of Israel's wives and children into captivity along with all the gold and silver in the land. What Ben-Hadad did not factor in was what the God of Israel could do for His people. He did not know that the Almighty God was the ultimate defense of Israel.
God sent a prophet with a word to Ahab that He would give Ben-Hadad into the hands of Israel using Junior Officers. While Ben-Hadad was busy getting drunk, Israel attacked and routed the Aramean forces under the leadership of 32 allied kings. Ben-Hadad escaped on horseback.
I am struck by two things:
First: What would have happened if Ahab had acquiesced to the threats of Ben-Hadad and had sent off his wives and children along with his gold and silver into the hands of Ben-Hadad? Obviously, he would never have experienced the victory that God had in store for him against Ahab and his 32 allied kings.
We must never give in to the threats and demands of the Enemy. We must look up unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. God will never abandon us. We are the work of His hands and He will always stand with us in whatever battle we face no matter how formidable the Enemy might prove to be. Who can stand against the LORD God Almighty? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Second, I am at a loss about the unfathomable grace of God! Ahab was a wicked and godless king but God mercifully came to His rescue when the enemy rose up against him. Understanding the grace of God -- God's unmerited favor, love and compassion would cause our hearts to be at peace. If God is so gracious to such a wicked king, why would he withhold His grace from us? When we find ourselves in dire straights, let us remember that the God of all grace is always with us. Never cave in to the threats of the Enemy because the grace of God will always be sufficient for you.
God sent a prophet with a word to Ahab that He would give Ben-Hadad into the hands of Israel using Junior Officers. While Ben-Hadad was busy getting drunk, Israel attacked and routed the Aramean forces under the leadership of 32 allied kings. Ben-Hadad escaped on horseback.
I am struck by two things:
First: What would have happened if Ahab had acquiesced to the threats of Ben-Hadad and had sent off his wives and children along with his gold and silver into the hands of Ben-Hadad? Obviously, he would never have experienced the victory that God had in store for him against Ahab and his 32 allied kings.
We must never give in to the threats and demands of the Enemy. We must look up unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. God will never abandon us. We are the work of His hands and He will always stand with us in whatever battle we face no matter how formidable the Enemy might prove to be. Who can stand against the LORD God Almighty? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Second, I am at a loss about the unfathomable grace of God! Ahab was a wicked and godless king but God mercifully came to His rescue when the enemy rose up against him. Understanding the grace of God -- God's unmerited favor, love and compassion would cause our hearts to be at peace. If God is so gracious to such a wicked king, why would he withhold His grace from us? When we find ourselves in dire straights, let us remember that the God of all grace is always with us. Never cave in to the threats of the Enemy because the grace of God will always be sufficient for you.
Prayer: Father, I confess that in the face of threats from the Enemy, my heart gets troubled. But I know that you are always with me and you will always fight my battles. Thank you that I can always stand still and count on your deliverance. Amen.