1 Kings 22

Ahab has enjoyed a few peaceful years and decides it is time to stir things up a bit. He goes to Jehosphaphat and asks if he will join him in attacking and regaining Ramoth Gilead. Jehosphaphat (wouldn’t you love a name like that – I am calling him J for the rest of today) says ok with this caveat: “before you do anything, ask GOD for guidance”. Now that is a change of pace for Ahab. He normally just barrels off and does whatever he wants to but J puts on the brakes and wants God’s input. Pretty good advice guys. We need to learn a lesson here. Before we do anything – we need to stop and ask. Sounds very much like another great leader – Nehemiah. And many others were in that same mode of operation. Stop, ask, LISTEN, obey. That third step is the one I struggle with. I can sometimes get around to asking, but when it comes to listening, I have a hard time. That may mean waiting a bit, or getting away from the noise of the day or moment. Anyway, Ahab agrees and brings together 400 prophets who tell him what he wants to hear – go attack. J is still not convinced and asks if there is not another prophet they are missing a word from. Ahab fesses up that there is one more – Micaiah – and he finally sends for him. Abad doesn’t like Micaiah because he always has bad news for Ahab and this time is no exception. He at first tries to blow off the request for info but when pushed, M (as we will call him today) tells them that these other 400 prophets are wrong and that God has set them up for failure when they attack the enemy. Of course Ahab didn’t want to hear from him in the first place but M stood strong in telling God’s truth. He stands alone – 400 prophets on one side – and him. Another key lesson – in order to be a man of God who walks in truth we must be willing to stand alone. We have to be able to do the right thing and speak truth even when it is not popular or easy. God expects and demands that from us. Are you listening to God’s still quiet voice of direction? Are you standing alone if necessary once you have His word? Two critical things if we want to be men of God!