PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 1 Kings 21-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I saw the Lord sitting on his throne…”” (1 Kings 22:19).
In v.10 the author describes Ahab and Jehoshaphat sitting on their thrones.
But here in v.19 Micaiah shows who is really on the throne.
Ahab and Jezebel use their power for evil, doing their own will.
But God is steering their free will, directing it to his purpose.
Despite his attempts to avoid God’s will, Ahab falls as predicted.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
I recall this passage when I struggle with the state of leadership and politics in our world.
Human leaders choose and act for their own purposes, but God overrules them all.
God doesn’t stop evil, but God directs it for a grander purpose.
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” (John 19:11)
Jesus remembers this as he stands before Pilate, seeing God’s throne behind Pilate’s.
We cannot control what happens in the world, but we can be assured that the Lord does.
And we can also do our part to help the Lord bring goodness and grace into the world.
We can either work with the Lord or against him, but ultimately his will will be done!
PRAYER
Lord, I see you on the throne and this gives me hope. Help me not to resist this but to surrender to it, and to devote my life to doing your will.
Even though Ahab allowed Jezebel to the plot to kill Naboth – when confronted Ahab showed contriteness so that we read this stunning commentary by the Lord to Elijah: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” How merciful God is! Totally amazing. Sure Ahab’s contriteness didn’t last and he saw the prophets of the Lord as his enemies – in the end even when he tried to ‘duck’ the end he knew was coming – he was found by God! There is nothing I can do to hide even my deepest thoughts from God – God is all knowing. Forgive me Lord for avoiding the truth – help me to come clean – to confess all before you! For your mercy – even for a character like Cain or Ahab – was offered. And so you offer to me!