2 Chronicles 18:33
‘Now one man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am severely wounded.”‘
The Paris olympics opened their ceremony with a living duplication of the Last Supper. When Harrison Butker was asked about it, he said, “God is not mocked.” That was a perfect response. This was the shortest, but clearest comment that could have been said. No explanation was needed.
Today’s passage has God’s word being fulfilled against the evil king Ahab. He thought he was being sly and trying to disguise king Jehoshaphat as himself to avoid being killed. While interesting it was against God and his friend. God’s word was fulfilled.
The person used to fulfill His word had no knowledge of it. He randomly shot an arrow in the air and it hit Ahab between the armor plates and struck him in the joint. No one saw this coming. God did.
We can trust God and His Word. Regardless of how unlikely, it will come to pass. If anything is sure, it’s that. Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” We may not see how it would be realized, but trust it.
A demonstration of our trust is to rest. We can set aside our anxiety. Philippians 4:6,7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” As we trust His Word, cast our anxiety on Him and give Him thanks, He allows His peace to guard our hearts. Peace which sounds passive acts as a guard. Love it.
That’s God’s kingdom. It seems unlikely, but we have an all powerful God who works His will. Regardless of which clever person predicts God’s irrelevance, His will stands. We might not see it coming, but it will.
Jehoshaphat was innocently going along with Ahab’s disguise plan. It almost got him killed. He was a fool to associate and trust Ahab. The enemy pursued him as if he were Ahab. The pursuers saw it wasn’t him and gave up the chase. God saved him. Ahab’s clever disguise plan failed and he died as the true prophet predicted.
Our lesson is to seek His will and trust it. Honor Him and His ways. His ways are never contrary to His Word. Prayer and waiting are good practices. If we have a hunch about it, pray, ask for guidance and step out.
Thank You, God, for Your Word and Your will. Thank You for including us in it.