Gracious Works

“Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and chariots. And he went up and closed in on Samaria and fought against it. And he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, “Thus says Ben-hadad: ‘Your silver and your gold are mine; your best wives and children also are mine.’” And the king of Israel answered, “As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have.”” (1 Kings 20:1-4)

 Ahab has never been one of my favorite Bible characters.     His wife dominated him.  He was selfish. He was peevish.  He was a coward and when Ben-hadad sent demanding messages him, he caved immediately and surrendered. But he did not have to. 

As the rest of the story shows, God was willing and able to deliver Ben-hadad into the hands of Ahab.  As a matter of fact, this story ends with Ben-hadad being at the mercy of Ahab!

“And they encamped opposite one another seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle was joined. And the people of Israel struck down of the Syrians 100,000 foot soldiers in one day. And the rest fled into the city of Aphek, and the wall fell upon 27,000 men who were left. Ben-hadad also fled and entered an inner chamber in the city. And his servants said to him, “Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings. Let us put sackcloth around our waists and ropes on our heads and go out to the king of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life.”” (1 Kings 20:29-31)

This illustrates a principle for us. Whenever our spiritual enemies come and make their attacks on our lives, we need not surrender to them. When the world, the flesh, and the devil demand our surrender to them, we can stand up and say "no".  Though we may not feel any more worthy than Ahab was of God's help, God will help us because of his own Glory and Name.

“And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’”” (1 Kings 20:28)

Let's not be guilty of unnecessary surrender!