There is an interesting story found in 1 Kings 20…..
There is a King Ben-hadad who is wanting to attack God’s people & so begins to make threats. First threat – he demands all the gold & Â Â silver & wives & children of King Ahab. King Ahab agrees in an effort to avoid war. Second threat – not only that but he will also search the homes of the people & take everything of value.
With the second threat, King Ahab consults the elders, who advise him not to give in to any more demands.
King Ben-hadad responds with a do or die threat.
“The king of Israel sent back this answer: “A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won.” (verse 11)
I cannot even begin to explain how these words resonated in my soul. For we, too, have an enemy that taunts us:
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in our faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9a NLT).
He boasts that he has won. That he is powerful to defeat us. But the thing is that he has no right to boast like he was already won. None.
The prophet continues to tell King Ahab:
“Today I will hand them all over to you. THEN you will know that I am the Lord.” (verse 13b).
God gives us the victory in our situations so that we will know:
- that God is mighty
- that God is powerful
- that God is able to save us
- that God is sovereign
- that God is faithful
- that God protects His own
- that God loves us
It is as we submit to God & resist our enemy that we come to know Him more deeply. He wants us to grow in our faith & trust in Him.
“Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
