Love, Power, Goodness, Help Yesterday, Today, and Forever
When the battle seems overwhelming, sometimes the best weapon is a good memory.
Twice in the span of a single chapter, a huge enemy army wages war with Israel. 1 Kings 20 begins with the king of Aram, along with 32 of his king friends, blustering out smack—murderous threats--to Ahab, king of Israel. In a miraculous display of prophetic fulfillment, Israel routes the enemy, with Aram’s king running for his life.
The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’”1 Kings 20:28, NIV
Dulled by his own arrogance, the humiliated invader mistakenly judged that the divine defeat was the result of God’s power in the mountains—a power that did not extend to the valleys. Of course, another drubbing was imminent.
Many life lessons can be gleaned from the events of 1 Kings 20. This is one: your defeated enemy most likely will return. Perhaps to a different place, or with a new form of attack. Here’s a good defense: remember. Remember God’s faithfulness in the past--His goodness, His serendipitous help at just the needed moment. The power of your Savior is strong on your behalf. He was Victor in the previous battle. He is Victor now! The God of your mountains IS the God of your valleys…and everything else!
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” -2 Corinthians 9:10, ESV