1 Kings 22:19-28
“Sometimes the truth hurts”, is a phrase that many of us use on occasion. This phrase is often used in a jesting way but often reminds us that avoiding God’s will or common sense can hurt. It’s a sarcastic way of pointing out that “you should have known better”. We get set on a course of action and nothing seems to be able to change our minds. Our desires are allowed to override God’s will and direction for our lives. Aligning my desires with God’s will is always going to be a struggle. “I want what I want,” is the default setting for most of us. Learning to trust the leading of the Holy Spirit is key to pleasing God.
King Ahab had a desire to go to war with Syria to expand his kingdom. He gains the alliance of king Jehoshaphat of Judah to help his cause. King Jehoshaphat insists on asking God if He will bless this action. King Jehoshaphat isn’t buying the word of the 400 false prophets that King Ahab is using and requests another. King Ahab calls on the prophet Micaiah (who he hates because he never prophesies good things for King Ahab) to get a second opinion. Micaiah tells these kings that God has allowed Satan to put lies in the mouths of the 400 prophets. Micaiah says if you do this invasion, disaster will come of it. The kings ignore this wise counsel and go into battle. The army is defeated and King Ahab is killed.
King Ahab’s desire overloaded his ability to trust in God’s wisdom. King Ahab was determined to go his own way, and it cost him his life. “Sometimes the truth hurts” is a fitting prologue on King Ahab’s life. King Ahab constantly pursued his agenda with no regard to God’s will. King Ahab only looked to God to rubber stamp and bless his desires. Looked at God like an ATM machine and wanted to make withdrawals without any deposits. Maybe I treat my relationship with God the same way. Do I think of my relationship with Jesus as an insurance plan? He provides me with fire insurance and is there in case of an emergency. Is that how deep my relationship is? I cannot live my life like King Ahab and follow my desires without a thought about God’s will. My desires must be set aside in favor of God’s will. Wouldn’t it be better if the all-knowing God of the universe was setting the agenda for my life rather than my limited preferences and fleshly desires? Jesus tells me to focus on heavenly things rather than worldly things. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV). Where is your heart? Can you let God’s will dominate your desires? Let my focus be on the things of God not the things of this world. Jesus encouraged me to lean on the Holy Spirit. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you,” John 14:26 (ESV). I can trust in the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me. I can put my desires on a shelf in favor of God’s will.
King Ahab had a desire to go to war with Syria to expand his kingdom. He gains the alliance of king Jehoshaphat of Judah to help his cause. King Jehoshaphat insists on asking God if He will bless this action. King Jehoshaphat isn’t buying the word of the 400 false prophets that King Ahab is using and requests another. King Ahab calls on the prophet Micaiah (who he hates because he never prophesies good things for King Ahab) to get a second opinion. Micaiah tells these kings that God has allowed Satan to put lies in the mouths of the 400 prophets. Micaiah says if you do this invasion, disaster will come of it. The kings ignore this wise counsel and go into battle. The army is defeated and King Ahab is killed.
King Ahab’s desire overloaded his ability to trust in God’s wisdom. King Ahab was determined to go his own way, and it cost him his life. “Sometimes the truth hurts” is a fitting prologue on King Ahab’s life. King Ahab constantly pursued his agenda with no regard to God’s will. King Ahab only looked to God to rubber stamp and bless his desires. Looked at God like an ATM machine and wanted to make withdrawals without any deposits. Maybe I treat my relationship with God the same way. Do I think of my relationship with Jesus as an insurance plan? He provides me with fire insurance and is there in case of an emergency. Is that how deep my relationship is? I cannot live my life like King Ahab and follow my desires without a thought about God’s will. My desires must be set aside in favor of God’s will. Wouldn’t it be better if the all-knowing God of the universe was setting the agenda for my life rather than my limited preferences and fleshly desires? Jesus tells me to focus on heavenly things rather than worldly things. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV). Where is your heart? Can you let God’s will dominate your desires? Let my focus be on the things of God not the things of this world. Jesus encouraged me to lean on the Holy Spirit. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you,” John 14:26 (ESV). I can trust in the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me. I can put my desires on a shelf in favor of God’s will.
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