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)
The state of leadership and politics in our world makes me think of this story.
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 can’t control what happens in the world, but we can sure the Lord does.
We can also help the Lord bring more goodness and grace into the world.
We can either work with the Lord or against him, but ultimately his will is 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.
“Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day,” Even though Ahab had done much to deserve the full dose of God’s punishment – yet because he humbled himself God showed mercy. God allowed Ahab’s son to be king – but the punishment on Ahab’s family would happen. Should I am amazed at God’s compassion – even on a scoundrel like Ahab. Ahab was very much influenced by his corrupt wife, Jezebel – no mercy was shown for her. Yet Ahab was king – he could have put his foot down but he did not. Still when the verdict came, he humbled himself. He was contrite. I see in this that there is much hope for anyone- God has mercy – he is fair, just and considerate. Thank you Lord!
Our God reigns.
This is my Father’s world.
Mankind may think that he is in charge but as we see in today’s reading – God is. His will be done.
Daily I need to remind myself that Jesus is my pilot. He needs to direct each step of my life as I decided to follow Him, serve Him, live for Him doing His will and not my selfish desires. All for Jesus.
1 Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea:
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rocks and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass come from Thee–
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!
2 As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist’rous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say’st to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me!
3 When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
‘Twixt me and the peaceful rest–
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,