When to Stop fighting

When you must stop fighting

Emphasis 1 Kings 22

Now a certain man drew a bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 1Kgs22:34

That you won…..

The above scripture is from a popular bible account; it may interest you to note that even the worst of the kings of Israel lost only one battle. Ahab, in spite of his negative life and bad records, lost only one battle. Here is another lesson; the fact that you won or succeeded in that venture does not automatically mean that God is happy with the way you go about things.

The man of God is not in a contest with you

On the faithful day of the above account, he was warned by a genuine servant of God not to venture into that battle, he was sure that the man of God was saying the word of God but his ego was more important to him. If he failed to go to that war, some people will think the man of God has won. I have met people who feel I am in a contest with them. A lady once told me, “Ok, you go ahead and pray and we go ahead and pray. Let’s see whose prayer God will answer”.

Prayer only makes a difference if….

That brings us to the point I have mentioned in one of my writings; God does not just sit down in heaven waiting for us to pray so He will answer. God answers prayers that agree with His purpose. If the prayer does not agree with His purpose, He will not grant it. Shouting can help at times, night vigils can help at times, sowing seed of faith can help at times, fasting too, but note that all these are useless if you are turned against God’s purpose for your life and ministry.

Change of place does not always mean change of God

On the other hand, some quarrel with pastor of one church and then move on to work under pastor of another church. This too is stupid if the reason you left that church is because they tried to check your negative life-style. All your service in the new church is useless because the two churches and their pastors belong to the same God.

Correct but late

In our text, Ahab instructed his servants to take him out of the battle because he had been wounded. I feel that this instruction was rather too late. Ahab got involved in idolatry; men of God warned him but he persisted. Ahab killed some prophets of God, he was warned but he persisted. Before his very eyes Elijah shut the heavens and while he watched he prayed and rain came after three years, Ahab did not turn. Ahab killed Neborth and took his vine yard, God complained, he repented but did not turn from his sin by returning the land.

Prophet of his choice

In God’s forbearance, he was assigned a prophet to stand as a watchman over his government and to warn him about the consequence of his negative ways, but Ahab branded the prophet an enemy. Like some people today, he chose for himself the kind of prophets he wanted to hear, built “church auditorium” for them and sponsored their TV and Cable ministries. Each time he wanted to hear something “spiritual” he will gather these “prophets” and organize prayer meetings and rallies and then he will have a good time.

It surprises me that somebody will travel from Nigeria to South Africa to hear the word of God from Prophet Bushri while in enmity with his father in the Lord. It shocks me that somebody will travel from Cameroon to seek God with Prophet T B Joshua while he does not exchange mere greetings with the one that ordained him a pastor. While I have nothing with these great servants of God, I consider it foolishness for the one seeking blessing and word from God

Divine intervention still

Just like God often does for us because according to the bible, God does not delight in the death of sinners but continues to seek ways to get our attention, so we can return to Him; God stirred the heart of a friend of king Ahab who compelled Ahab to invite a true servant of God. It is interesting to note that Ahab knew that this man was the only true man of God in the land

Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of [b]Him?”

8 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” Verse 7-8

Prophet prophesy for me

Ahab knew that Micaiah was genuine and the other four hundred false but he wanted somebody who will make positive declaration over him. Of what use is positive declaration that will amount to nothing?

That was when Ahab should have quitted the battle but he kept fighting, he even put the genuine prophet in prison and boasted that he will come back alive.

How do you see the prophets or pastors of God? Do you see them as people with mystic powers that can bring good luck or as mere men presenting God’s word to you? Unfortunately today, people see men of God as commanders that tell God what He must do. This is obvious when we face in directions that God will not accept and yet you are praying for His favor. No man of God commands God or pushes Him around; don’t mind the empty words of some modern day magicians parading as prophets. That is why they have to create counterfeit fire from heaven and pay fake people to testify to the miracles in their ministries. God listens to His servants but He only grants what is within His will.

Ahab had his game plan

What were his game plans? He will rather set up his friend, King Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat is study for another day; his was stupidity of the highest level. If you meet a man who is not faithful to God, he will not be faithful to you.

Game plan number two, Ahab planned to go into the battle in disguise so that people will not recognize him.

Caught by curse

As you read this, what comes to your mind? Don’t wait until it is too late. The arrow that caught Ahab was not targeted but the curse of the man of God he put in the prison guided the arrow to Ahab’s heart.

Don’t wait until the curse ruins your future before you stop fighting. Are there issues in your life that needs urgent correction? Are presently in a battle you have no business fighting?

This calls for sober reflection

Emma your brother @PNUR