God Delivers 2

By Tosin Lawal

Devotional Reading: When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, “This is the king of Israel.” So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him. God drew them away from him, for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him. 2 Chronicles 18:31-32NIV

The Bible spoke so well of Jehoshaphat the king of Israel, for he sought God and walked by his commands and not according to the practice of Israel. On the other hand, the king of Israel, Ahab, did not receive good reports, for he was rebellious against God. It was Ahab who permitted the reign of the prophets of Baal in Israel, defiling the whole land. Ahab did not prioritize God in his life and kingdom. He lived a disobedient life to God.

Ahab died untimely because he disobeyed the voice of the Lord. It was not in God’s will for him to die when he died. However, disobedience and rebellion to God’s instructions have been a part of Ahab’s life. He couldn’t have resisted disobeying a word that would save him from untimely death. The nature of God is to save and deliver.

God never takes delight in the destruction of any man. However, the simple truth is that only the obedient will reap the fruit of the land. The disobedient will always reap destruction, for that is the path they’ve chosen for themselves.

The Bible says that the will of God is that every man will be saved. God’s word also asserts that the goodness of God is meant to lead us into repentance. God’s long-suffering is towards us repenting, not wanting us to perish. Even though God was greatly displeased by Ahab’s way of life, God still wanted him to repent and return to him.

When Ahab sought the face of God as to whether he should confront the king of Syria in battle, 400 supposed prophets of God told him, “March up, and God will hand it over to the king.” Ahab had an itchy ear. All he wanted to hear from God’s prophets was anything that would re-echo what he had set his heart to do. I hope that is not the way you are living your life? Jehoshaphat knew there was something wrong with those prophecies.

They eventually called upon Micaiah, who gave them the truth of God’s word that if he dared embark on it, he would not return. Ahab, of course, looked down on the man of God. What a boldness! You know the end result. He died on that battle ground.

In what areas of your life are you living in disobedience to God and his instructions to you? Disobedience is synonymous to rebellion. A disobedient believer is a rebellious believer. Repent. Many persons have cut their lives short on earth because of disobedience to God. You don’t have business with those living in disobedience, yet it seems all is working well for them.

Face your life. Don’t bring wrath upon yourself because of your way of life. God delivers. God saves. Don’t ever trivialize God’s instructions to you. Trivializing his instructions might be very costly for you. Many persons are in avoidable pains today because they disobeyed the voice of God that has come to them in simple and undeniable ways.

Many lives and homes are in disarray today because they trivialized the place of God’s word. Many persons are struggling unnecessarily because they have chosen to follow other paths other than God. Many don’t have rest(peace) of mind because they have ignored the way of the Lord. Be wise.

Prayer and Confession
You instruct to redeem Lord. Help me to be obedient to you always. You are able and abundantly able to deliver those who trust in you. I believe in you.

Further readings: 2 Chronicles 18: 1-34, Psalm 34:19, 2 Timothy 4:16-18
Reading The Prophets: Isaiah 31-35