THE BATTLE BELONGS TO GOD

“and he said, ‘Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God's.”’” (2 Chronicles 20:15 HCSB)

You are no match for the Devil.  He is smarter than you, so you can’t win an argument with him.  He is stronger than you, so you can’t overcome an attack from him.  An old boy noted, “I can resist anything, except temptation!”

So, do we just surrender?

Yes…and no!

We do not surrender to Satan…we are commanded to steadfastly resist him.  But, if you try to face him alone, he will laugh in your face and steamroll you!

We surrender to God!  We stand in His strength.  Look at these New Testament principles:

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.  For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.  This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13 HCSB)

“Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 HCSB)

“Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.  Resist him and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9 HCSB)

“because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith.” (1 John 5:4 HCSB)

“They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death.” (Revelation 12:11 HCSB)

We stand in the Lord’s strength, not our own.  We submit to God first, and then we can stand against the Devil.  The victory is attained by faith.  It is the finished work of Christ on Calvary that has crushed the serpent’s head that enables us to do likewise! We overcome by the blood of the Lamb.  His victory becomes our victory.

The battle belongs to God!  Satan is no match for Him!

A little girl was asked, “When Satan comes knocking on the door of your heart to tempt you to sin, what will you do?”  She answered, “I’ll turn to Jesus and say, ‘Will you answer the door?’”

Those New Testament principles are framed in an Old Testament picture in 2 Chronicles 20.  Let’s make sure we get the picture!

Good King Jehoshaphat and the Jews were facing an enemy too strong for them.  They were at a loss for a winning strategy.  To face such a powerful foe seemed utterly futile.  The King admits, “For we are powerless before this vast number that comes [to fight] against us.” (v.12b)

It has always been that way.  If we think we can outwork, outthink, outfight and outnumber our spiritual foes, we have, as my Daddy used to say, “Another think coming.”

But, that very acknowledgement of helplessness is exactly where we need to be, if we would achieve victory.  Jehoshaphat had more to say; I only gave you part of the verse, “Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes [to fight] against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.”

There are three keys to attaining this victory.  In each case, the Jews didn’t look to themselves, but to the Lord.

Key #1: GUIDANCE FROM GOD—There was PRAYER.

“After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came [to fight] against Jehoshaphat.  People came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come [to fight] against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar’ (that is, En-gedi).  Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah,

 who gathered to seek the Lord. They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him. Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the Lord's temple before the new courtyard.  He said:

‘Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You.  Are You not our God who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and who gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?  They have lived in the land and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name and have said,  "If disaster comes on us-sword or judgment, pestilence or famine-we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your name is in this temple. We will cry out to You because of our distress, and You will hear and deliver."  Now here are the Ammonites, Moabites, and [the inhabitants of] Mount Seir. You did not let Israel invade them when Israel came out of the land of Egypt, but Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them.  Look how they repay us by coming to drive us out of Your possession that You gave us as an inheritance.  Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast number that comes [to fight] against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.’” (v.1-12)

Some caricature this as, “Let go and let God” as though it is a passive response where we just sit down and do nothing.  Oh my, no!  We do more than sit down, we kneel down!  There isn’t passivity, but intensity—it is just that the activity is toward God and receiving His power rather than toward the enemy in our own power.  There was fasting and fervent praying.  If you think that doesn’t require resolve, you have never done it.  There is much to do after we pray, but nothing until we pray!  The flesh says, “Don’t just stand there, do something!”  We are stampeded by the terror of expediency and act rashly—with the result being sheer failure.  God says, “Stand there and pray something!”  Jehoshaphat stood before the Lord and prayed!  There will be a time to move out on the battlefield, but only after we first move in to the house of God in prayer and move up to the throne of God for power.  The battle belongs to God!

Key #2: GLORY TO GOD—There was PRAISE.

“All Judah was standing before the Lord with their infants, their wives, and their children.  In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph's descendants),  and he said, ‘Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God's.  Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel.  You do not have to fight this [battle]. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. [He is] with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.”’  Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him.  Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting with a loud voice.

In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.’  Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of [His] holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing:

‘Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever.’

The moment they began [their] shouts and praises, the Lord set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and [the inhabitants of] Mount Seir who came [to fight] against Judah, and they were defeated.” (v.13-22)

It’s amazing what praising can do!  God’s heart is forever bent toward the accomplishing of His glory.  When we glorify Him, we partner with His will—a will that is invincible, irresistible, inexorable!  When Jehoshaphat and the Jews focused on the size of their problem, they became fearful and disheartened, but when they focused on the strength of their God, they had faith and deliverance!  Praise is faith vocalized!  It isn’t merely gratitude for what God has done—though that can buttress our faith as we think about God’s faithfulness in the past.  Praise is more—it is glory in who God is—His unchangeable character: omnipotent—all powerful; omnipresent—always present; omniscient—all knowing.  His strength in us, His stand with us, and His strategy for us makes the humanly impossible achievable.  The battle belongs to God!

Key #3: GRACE FROM GOD—There was PROVISION.

“The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.   When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the large army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; nobody had escaped.  Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to gather the plunder. They found among them an abundance of goods on the bodies and valuable items. So they stripped them until nobody could carry any more. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.

They assembled in the Valley of Beracah on the fourth day, for there they praised the Lord. Therefore, that place is still called the Valley of Beracah today.  Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem turned back with Jehoshaphat their leader, returning joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord enabled them to rejoice over their enemies.  So they came into Jerusalem to the Lord's temple with harps, lyres, and trumpets.  The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that Yahweh had fought against the enemies of Israel.  Then Jehoshaphat's kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him rest on every side.” (v.23-30)

They rested in the Lord and they were able to rejoice in the Lord; rest became the blessed state they would abide in.  They went out praising God for His person—as they anticipated what He would do.  They came back praising God for His provision—as they celebrated what he had done!  The people conquered, but not with a sword.  They succeeded with a song!  It wasn’t the greatness of their forces, since their foe was greater than they were.  Rather, it was the grace of their Father, since His power was greater than what they faced.

As I look at the immensity of what the church is facing today, it makes my heart quake.  When I look at the impotence of the church now, it makes my knees shake.  But, when I look at my God, there is a song that breaks:

“Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below
Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.

Refrain

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love,
Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above
With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath,
Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death
Is still our shining shield.

Refrain

On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.

Refrain

To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in Heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Refrain

(“Faith Is The Victory” by John Yates and Ira Sankey)

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

“A prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and said, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Do you see this entire great army? Watch, I am handing it over to you today so that you may know that I am the Lord.”’”  (1 Kings 20:13 HCSB)

The last time I went trout fishing, I hooked a monster fish—but he got away!  A fish may be hooked, and even brought into reach, yet still escape. There have been times they have even been brought onto the boat or the bank, and they flopped back into the water and swam off.

This can happen to us spiritually, as well.  Sometimes God’s people get to the point of victory and stop short of success.  They have it in sight, but don’t press on. The momentum is there and they ease up.  Instead of putting the pedal to the floorboard, they shift into park.  “Just for a little while.  We need a break.”  We can get right to the brink of blessing and turn back. A church can arrive at the threshold of revival and not cross over.

Our text illustrates this truth. God provided Ahab, king of Israel, with victory, but he didn’t fully seize the opportunity. There are three elements to this story: the foe, the fight and the folly.

First, we will consider THE FOE (v.1-12).

“Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Thirty-two kings, along with horses and chariots, were with him. He marched up, besieged Samaria, and fought against it.” (v.1)

Aram is another name for Syria.  We might think the Israeli/Syrian conflict is something new, but it isn’t. The antagonism is thousands of years old.

The enemy of God’s people has been around a ling time, and our spiritual enemies are just as real.  They may not be foes of flesh, but they are fiends bent on our destruction.

We dare not overlook THE DANGER.  “Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Thirty-two kings, along with horses and chariots, were with him. He marched up, besieged Samaria, and fought against it.”   (v.1)

The people of God could never let down their guard, for there was always an enemy lurking near, ready to pounce.  “Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 HCSB)  

This world is a dangerous place for the child of God. War is deadly business.  It isn’t a game.  Paul speaks to the need to wear your armor in Ephesians 6.  Did you put yours on before you left the house this morning?

With the danger, there comes THE DEMAND.   “He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel and said to him, ‘This is what Ben-hadad says: “Your silver and your gold are mine! And your best wives and children are mine as well!” (v.2)

Ben-Hadad makes his demands and fear grips Ahab.  Remember, how Peter describes Satan?  He is a roaring lion. Fear is the danger in a roaring lion.  In the jungle, that roar strikes terror into the prey—and they will run from the roar—into the jaws of some lions hidden in the bush opposite them  John tells us that faith is the key to victory (1 John 5:4).  Fear is the opposite of faith.  One cancels out the other.  We must choose to trust in God, rather than tremble in fear.

So, there came THE DENIAL.  “All the elders and all the people said to him, ‘Don't listen or agree.’"  (v.8). 

We dare not give in. We must stand and face the foe. Ephesians 6:13 sounds the trumpet of truth, “This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.”   Don’t shrink back, stand up!  Hold your ground!  Have you surrendered, as you whimpered?

Because we have deadly foe, we are in for THE FIGHT (v.13-30). 

“A prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and said, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Do you see this entire great army? Watch, I am handing it over to you today so that you may know that I am the Lord.”” Ahab asked, ‘By whom?’ And the prophet said, ‘This is what the Lord says: “By the young men of the provincial leaders.”’ Then he asked, ‘Who is to start the battle?’  He said, ‘You.’” (v.13-14)

God has furnished us with all the armor and weapons we need to overcome the enemy.  It is time we took the offensive against sin.  The gates of hell cannot resist the assault of those who have the Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God.  We have our marching orders—the Great Commission!

There came THE REVELATION OF VICTORY.  “The young men of the provincial leaders and the army behind them marched out from the city, and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled and Israel pursued them, but Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on a horse with the cavalry.  Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the cavalry and the chariots. He inflicted a great slaughter on Aram.” (v.19-21)

We will learn much about God in the battle that we wouldn’t know otherwise. None of us like struggles. We wouldn’t choose them. But there are lessons to be learned.  Basic training is essential for an army, but there comes a time to take the field.

Another lesson learned was THE REASON FOR VICTORY.  “Then the man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Because the Arameans have said: Yahweh is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys, I will hand over all this great army to you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”’”  (v.28) 

God was going to show Ben-Hadad who was boss. Satan is no match for God and God wants everybody to know it!  That way He receives all the glory.  This isn’t about a monument to a man or the pride of a people—it is about glory for God.

This leads to THE RESULT OF VICTORY.  “They camped opposite each other for seven days. On the seventh day, the battle took place, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans-100,000 foot soldiers in one day.  The ones who remained fled into the city of Aphek, and the wall fell on those 27,000 remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled and went into an inner room in the city.”  (v.29-30). 

It was an overwhelming victory. Scripture affirms that we are more than conquerors. Our intent isn’t just to defeat the enemy, but to decimate him.  Then, we receive the spoil of battle!  Spiritually speaking, that is the souls of men and women, Satan has enslaved—to set them free from his clutches!

But, there was a problem.  They gave in to THE FOLLY  (v.31-43). 

“Then Ben-hadad said to him, ‘I restore to you the cities that my father took from your father, and you may set up marketplaces for yourself in Damascus, like my father set up in Samaria.’  [Ahab responded], ‘On the basis of this treaty, I release you.’ So he made a treaty with him and released him….The prophet said to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Because you released from your hand the man I had set apart for destruction, it will be your life in place of his life and your people in place of his people.”’” (v.34, 42)

The memory of 9-11 horror has faded.  We are a war-weary nation.  The struggle against terrorism that began with such zeal no longer seems to generate the same level of concern.  In fact, the terrorists are as committed as ever to killing us and slaying freedom.  The war on terror is a fight to the finish—if we aren’t in it to finish it, it will be our finish.  Likewise, at the end of this spiritual conflict, only one can prevail.  Appeasement didn’t work with Hitler.  Treaties with tyrants are never honored.  We dare not accept the Devil’s peace proposal.  There can be no truce with sin.

Ahab embraced THE COMPROMISE.  “Then Ben-hadad said to him, ‘I restore to you the cities that my father took from your father, and you may set up marketplaces for yourself in Damascus, like my father set up in Samaria.’  [Ahab responded], ‘On the basis of this treaty, I release you.’  So he made a treaty with him and released him.” (v.34)  The devil will say, “If I can’t beat them, I’ll join them.”  If he can’t beat us by fighting, he’ll try to be our friend.   That was Balaam’s strategy.  You may recall how when the children of Israel came out of Egypt, Balak, the Midianite monarch hired the false prophet Balaam to curse the Israelis.  But, each time he opened his mouth, God caused him to utter a blessing instead.  That plan failed.  Balaam then proposed to send women into the camp of the Jews to entice the men to love them—and their idols with them.  They did—and this brought judgment on the Jews.  Balaam couldn’t beat them, so he joined them.  The world says, “Can’t we just be friends?”

The compromise would produce THE CONSEQUENCE (v.35-43). Friendship with the world is enmity with God (see James 4:4). 

Here we see this ILLUSTRATED   “One of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow prophet by the word of the Lord, ‘Strike me!’ But the man refused to strike him.  He told him, ‘Because you did not listen to the voice of the Lord, mark my words: When you leave me, a lion will kill you.’ When he left him, a lion attacked and killed him.” (v.35-36) This man was disobedient to the Word of the Lord. Partial obedience is disobedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

The consequences of compromise are not only illustrated, but INDICATED “The prophet said to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Because you released from your hand the man I had set apart for destruction, it will be your life in place of his life and your people in place of his people.”’” (v.42).  The opportunity for complete victory was gone.    The Greeks had a goddess named Opportunity.  She was pictured as a woman with long hair which stretched before her, robes flowing forward, hands reaching ahead.  Once she passed by there was nothing to take hold of.  When opportunity passes, you can’t grasp it again.

One day, in heaven, we will be judged for reward.  We will be judged for the quality of what we have done. But did you know that we’ll also be judged by the potential of what we might have done?  What will we discover that we might have accomplished if we had pressed on?

Don’t let the big one get away.

THE CONTEST ON CARMEL

“Then Elijah approached all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If Yahweh is God, follow Him. But if Baal, follow him.’ But the people didn't answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men.  Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire.  Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh. The God who answers with fire, He is God.’  All the people answered, ‘That [sounds] good.’” (1 Kings 18:21-24 HCSB)

God + 1 = a majority. If God is included in the equation, then all things are possible.  1 Kings 18 provides a powerful illustration of this truth. 

God told one man, Elijah, to go on the offensive and take the fight to the enemy. Too often God’s people have a fortress mentality. We see ourselves as outnumbered and outgunned by the world and hope we can just hold out.  Yet, Jesus intends for His church to be militant and triumphant, storming the very gates of hell.  God back and read Acts again.  You will see people who marched out with a mission and turned the world upside down (really putting it right-side up)!  We are to confront the values, philosophies, and deceptions of the day.

Maybe you remember the Ali-Frazier fight, “The Thrilla in Manila” or the Foreman-Ali bout, “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Well, today, we get a ringside seat for the contest on Carmel.

There was A CHALLENGE TO A DUEL  (v.1-19).

“When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, ‘Is that you, you destroyer of Israel?’ He replied, ‘I have not destroyed Israel, but you and your father's house have, because you have abandoned the Lord's commands and followed the Baals.  Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table.’" (v.17-19)

Israel is in a sad state brought on by sin. It was time for the evil to be confronted and God calls Elijah to do it. This would be the spiritual equivalent to “The Shootout at the OK Corral” or on a larger scale—D-Day! 

I say it is time for us to show the courage of Elijah and throw down the gauntlet. It is time for us to trust God. It is time to say to our world, “The Emperor has no clothes”—that the fashions, fads, and fancies of the world are inadequate to clothe people for eternity. Our families are disintegrating.  Our churches are declining.  Our nation is degenerating.  Our world is deteriorating. 

What folly it is to look to the politicians and pundits and professors and professionals to fix with human solutions what human systems have caused.  Our idolatry of technology, economy, diplomacy—and the like—is not the cure, it is the cancer!  As servants, those things can be helpful tools, but as masters, they are horrible tyrants.  Meanwhile, we reject the only source of hope and help—Almighty God.

If change is going to happen, it will not be through legislation or education but through spiritual transformation as we repent and seek God’s face. Obadiah is an example of the godly remnant the Lord has in every generation, even the darkest hour.

“Obadiah was a man who greatly feared the Lord and took 100 prophets and hid them, 50 men to a cave, and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered the Lord's prophets.” (v.3b-4)

God always has a people. Will you be part of a people zealous for God?  Fear Him and you need fear no one or nothing else!

God always has a preacher.  It may be a lone voice, like John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness of this wicked world.  Elijah was the Old Testament counterpart to that New Testament herald.  The voice might be a lone call, but it is a loud one!  When things seem the darkest, God can light a torch of truth, and thrust it into the hands of His man—His preacher.   If he will stand up and speak up—then God will show up!

There was then,  A CALL FOR A DECISION  (v.20-40). 

“Then Elijah approached all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If Yahweh is God, follow Him. But if Baal, follow him.’ But the people didn't answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I am the only remaining prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men.  Let two bulls be given to us. They are to choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire.  Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh. The God who answers with fire, He is God.’  All the people answered, ‘That [sounds] good.’” (v.21-24)

God’s people cannot straddle the fence. Jesus won’t let us. He says that we are for Him or against Him—there is no middle ground. Neutrality is impossible.  He told the church at Laodecia, “You make me sick. I wish you would be cold or hot, but because you are lukewarm you nauseate me.”   Someone has well-said that there is nothing in the middle of the road, but a yellow streak and dead possums! 

Elijah had no yellow streak up his back!  He wasn’t lukewarm, but on fire for God!  He would be the one God would use to ignite the fire of revival among His people. 

The prophet’s faith in God is vividly displayed. I love the way he pokes fun at the false prophets.

“Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, ‘Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god but don't light the fire.’ So they took the bull that he gave them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, ‘Baal, answer us!’ But there was no sound; no one answered. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made.  At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, ‘Shout loudly, for he's a god! Maybe he's thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he's on the road. Perhaps he's sleeping and will wake up!’ They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears, according to their custom, until blood gushed over them.  All afternoon they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no sound; no one answered, no one paid attention. ” (v.25-28)

That pictures the frenzy of activity we have in our world.  But, activity isn’t accomplishment.  Our energy is spent on futility.  Without God, we are on a treadmill, running hard, but getting nowhere. 

He wasn’t intimidated. We do not need to be. We have truth on our side. After the frenzied blood-letting and screaming fails to bring down fire from heaven, Elijah goes to extremes to assure recognition of a miracle, dousing everything with water.

“Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come near me.’  So all the people approached him. Then he repaired the Lord's altar that had been torn down:  Elijah took 12 stones-according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, ‘Israel will be your name’—and he built an altar with the stones in the name of Yahweh. Then he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold about four gallons.  Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. He said, ‘Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood.’ Then he said, ‘A second time!’ and they did it a second time. And then he said, ‘A third time!’ and they did it a third time.  So the water ran all around the altar; he even filled the trench with water.” (v.30-35)

Then in contrast to the false prophets, this true prophet of Israel prays a short, simple prayer and gets dramatic results!

“At the time for offering the [evening] sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached [the altar] and said, ‘Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that at Your word I have done all these things.  Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that You, Yahweh, are God and that You have turned their hearts back.’ Then Yahweh's fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.” (v.36-38)

The response of the people to this is the glory of God—as the true God is praised and the false prophets are purged.

“When all the people saw it, they fell facedown and said, ‘Yahweh, He is God! Yahweh, He is God!’ Then Elijah ordered them, ‘Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let even one of them escape.’ So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there.” (v.39-40)

We desperately need this today. We need the fire of heaven to fall. There needs to be a manifestation of spiritual power in the church so that people will turn back to the Lord. May the fire of God be kindled in our hearts!

Next came A CRY FOR A DOWNPOUR  (v.41-46). 

“Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a rainstorm.’ So Ahab went to eat and drink, but Elijah went up to the summit of Carmel. He bowed down on the ground and put his face between his knees.  Then he said to his servant, ‘Go up and look toward the sea.’  So he went up, looked, and said, ‘There's nothing.’  Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go back.’  On the seventh time, he reported, ‘There's a cloud as small as a man's hand coming from the sea.’
Then Elijah said, ‘Go and tell Ahab, “Get [your chariot] ready and go down so the rain doesn't stop you.”’  In a little while, the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a downpour. So Ahab got in [his chariot] and went to Jezreel.  The power of the Lord was on Elijah, and he tucked his mantle under his belt and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” (v.41-46)

Elijah prayed and the heavens were shut. He prays again and the heavens open. James uses this as an example of the power of prayer, and reminds us that Elijah was a man like us (see James 5:16-18).  Can you pray like Elijah? Well, of course you can!

But the best thing to remember is that Elijah’s God is still our God. He hasn’t changed. God still answers prayer.  The miracle isn’t in the greatness of the prayer being offered, but in the glory of the Person who responds!

The size of the cloud is interesting. I believe there is a message there. When it first appeared it didn’t seem very promising.

I recall a time that my wife was trying to clean the top of the refrigerator. She was standing on a chair and still couldn’t reach the dirt farther back toward the wall. She asked me to help and commented that I had married a short woman. I smiled and said, “Yes, but good things come in small packages!”

That was true of that little cloud.

It can be true of God’s work in your life. Maybe you sense a need to get closer to God but don’t know where to begin.

You need to read your Bible and pray—why not start with 10 minutes of Bible reading and 5 minutes in prayer? Build that discipline in your life and God can take you farther down the path of spiritual maturity as you walk with Him.

Maybe you are convicted about the level of your giving. You know you ought to tithe, but don’t think you can—why not tithe one week a month or start by giving 2% or 5% and see how God works.

Perhaps you’ve thought about reaching the lost and don’t know that you can. Why not call one of your pastors and ask them to go with you to visit that friend or family member. You won’t have to say a thing—just get us in the door. Pray while we share. It probably won’t be many visits before you have something to say also.

We have a little crowd on Wednesday night, compared to Sunday morning, but that’s where God starts a great work. Jesus took five loaves and two fish and fed 5000. You build a fire with kindling wood.  If we try to light the “back log” of Sunday morning hundreds, we may never see revival fires burn, but if we begin with the Wednesday evening handfuls, it could be God will send down the fire!

Really, it takes only one.  God + 1 = a majority.  Will you be that one?

FOLLOW THE LEADER

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha: ‘Because I raised you up from the dust and made you ruler over My people Israel, but you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have caused My people Israel to sin, provoking Me with their sins’” (1 Kings 16:1-2 HCSB)

“ In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials-Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah-to teach in the cities of Judah.  The Levites with them were Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah; the priests, Elishama and Jehoram, were with these Levites. They taught throughout Judah, [having] the book of the Lord's instruction with them. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.” (2 Chronicles 17:7-9 HCSB)

Remember playing follow the leader as a kid?  Whatever the leader did, you did, or you were out of the game.  It was good cheap fun, and resulted in exercise—unlike today’s games which consist of sitting in front of a big screen TV and playing expensive video games.

In the Divided Kingdom—Israel and Judah—people tended to follow the leader, spiritually and morally.  If the leader were an idolater then the people practiced paganism.  If the king were a worshipper of Yahweh, then the nation would follow suit.  We see that example of “Follow the Leader” in our Scripture portion for today—but it wasn’t a game.  It was deadly serious.

There is a pattern that develops between the two kingdoms that is observed.  Every king from the Northern Kingdom of Israel is a bad king.  Without exception, they are all evil, the degeneracy is evident and the result is a steep drop into the abyss of judgment.  The capitol city of Samaria will fall to the hands of the Assyrians eventually and the people will perish or be carried into captivity.

In the Southern Kingdom of Judah, the decline is more gradual, because there are a few notable exceptions to the overall pattern—kings who would lead the people to God, rather than from Him.  An occasional good king would arise, and this would move the nation back to higher ground, and away from the pit.  The Southern Kingdom would, accordingly, endure longer than their cousins to the north.  But, because the trend was toward sin, they too would finally be conquered and Jerusalem will fall to the new bully on the block, Babylon, with execution and enslavement the lot of the Jews.

Consider in these few chapters how the difference in direction of the kingdoms mirrored the spiritual state of their leaders.  It is a contrast between the instability of Israel—cycling through king after king—each seemingly worse than his predecessor, and the relative stability of Judah with only two kings during this period—both good kings, Asa and his son Jehoshaphat.

INIQUITY AND INSTABILITY mark the course of the nation of Israel.

During the reigns of two men in Judah—Asa and Jehoshaphat—six different kings came to the throne in Israel (there would eventually be a seventh).  That instability was due to their iniquity.  It is like what Jesus described when you build a house on sand.  The foundation of the nation was not solid and so Israel could not stand.  The nation followed their leader.  Leadership matters.  As we look at the peril our nation faces today, it would be wrong to think that the election of a president is all that matters, but likewise foolish to think that it doesn’t matter.  Who controls the reins of power, directs the policies that lead the nation—and we will be taken toward God or away from Him.  We won’t stand still.  Will we be like the Northern Kingdom? 

The gravity of sin would pull them down, like an airplane that has lost its engines.  The crash would be horrible.  The pilots were fools.  At any time they might have restarted the engines by fueling them with faith in the living God.  Instead they don’t even glide in, put push the wheel forward into a steeper and faster  nose dive.  Bad for the pilots—but, the passengers on board are in for the same fate.

SPIRITUALITY AND STABILITY chart the course for the nation of Judah.

After the failed leadership of Rehoboam, where the nation was divided and that evil king of Judah took the people away from God, the Lord raised up two kings in succession that brought the people out of their backsliding.  The foundation is shored up with faith in the living God.  In fact, Jehoshaphat is so concerned about leading the people to the Lord, that he sends priests throughout the nation, the Word of God in their hand, to teach the citizens the truth of Scripture.  A people’s beliefs and their behaviors are inseparably linked.  A nation that is grounded in God’s principles will grow in His goodness and be guarded by His grace.  This is what we observe in the reigns of Asa and Jehoshaphat. 

The Southern Kingdom will be like a ship taking on water, the water of wickedness—and it will one day sink—but, not this day, for the hole has been plugged and the water pumped out.  The ship of state is sailing on with a strong hand at the rudder.  The course has been set by the compass of truth, charted by the Word of God.

Let us be challenged to look for leaders to elect as presidents and senators, governors and commissioners who are like Jehoshaphat.  May we pray for the Lord to raise up leaders in business, education, media, and church life who will exhibit the traits of that godly leader.  It is the great need of this grave hour.  The ship of America has hit the rocks, the sea of sin is rushing in, and we have little time to act.

Many thought it could never happen to America.  We have lived with the expectation that each successive generation will have a better life than the preceding one.    

It was also once believed that the Titanic could not sink.

 

WHAT GOD IS LOOKING FOR

“For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a HCSB)

They call them, “headhunters”—and I’m not talking about some primitive jungle tribe that stalks their enemy, cuts off their heads and mounts them as trophies.  The term is used in the corporate world for someone whose profession is to scout and sign talent in a particular field.  It might be to find an executive, a coach, a business manager, a salesman—or any of a myriad of other jobs.  This person is always looking for someone who has the ability to excel.

God isn’t a headhunter.  He is a “heart-hunter.”  He is able to look beyond the surface to the core of our being.  His evaluation is always perfect.  He is seeking the one who has a perfect heart—not sinless, or He would never find one, but for one that is “completely His.”  That is, a heart unreservedly committed to God.

When he finds such a one, His intention is to invest in them His resources and use them to extend the Kingdom of God in the earth.  There can be no half-heartedness, no blockage in the spiritual arteries to impede the life-giving flow of grace.  This is what God is looking for and longing to do.

Asa could have been such a King.  The potential was there.  We look into his life and leadership for some lessons to lead us to examine our heart.  We may be sure that God is thoroughly examining it!

What kind of heart is God looking for?

He seeks a heart that is set on RETURNING TO THE LORD (2 Chronicles 14).

“Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God.  He removed the pagan altars and the high places. He shattered their sacred pillars and chopped down their Asherah poles.  He told [the people of] Judah to seek the Lord God of their ancestors and to carry out the instruction and the commands.” (v.2-4)

God’s people were on a downhill slide.  Following David’s reign, Solomon had led them to military power, economic prosperity, but in the end spiritual poverty.  He had opened the door to idolatry and the Enemy of the Soul had flooded the land with filth.  Solomon’s son, Rehoboam  piled up more spiritual trash and his successor Abijah just slogged along through the cesspool of iniquity.

Then Asa came to the throne.  But, he did more than ascend to an earthly throne, he sought the throne of grace!  He led the people to return to the Lord.  By his example and his edicts, he inspired a nation to yield to God—and God blessed them accordingly.

The return to God brought them rest.  Asa also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom experienced peace under him.

“Because the land experienced peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. No one made war with him in those days because the Lord gave him rest.  So he said to [the people of] Judah, ‘Let's build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours because we sought the Lord our God. We sought Him and He gave us rest on every side.’ So they built and succeeded.” (v.6-8)

Peace brought the opportunity for prosperity.  The Lord was showing Himself strong on behalf of these yielded hearts. 

The nation experienced His power in protection.  An army of a million men came up from Africa against them.  The odds were overwhelming—against the invaders—for God was on the side of Judah!  Victory was secured.

“Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin bearing regular shields and drawing the bow. All these were brave warriors.  Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of one million men and 300 chariots. They came as far as Mareshah.   So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God: ‘Lord, there is no one besides You to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, Lord our God, for we depend on You, and in Your name we have come against this large army. Yahweh, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder You.’  So the Lord routed the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled.  Then Asa and the people who were with him pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell until they had no survivors, for they were crushed before Yahweh and His army. So the people of Judah carried off a great supply of loot.” (v.8-13)

No matter the size of the problem you may be facing today, God is longing to show His power on your behalf.  That way He receives all the glory.  Our nation is in as much of a mess as Judah was in and only a miracle will suffice—but God delights in making miracles and manifesting His might.  All we must do is return to the Lord and seek Him whole-heartedly.  Let it begin with me—today!

The positive side of this is that we have a heart set on returning to the Lord, but with that, the flip-side, is a heart set on REMOVING OF THE EVIL (2 Chronicles 15).

“When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of [Azariah son of] Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He renovated the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord's [temple].” (v.8)

“King Asa also removed Maacah, his grandmother, from being queen mother because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa chopped down her obscene image, then crushed it and burned it in the Kidron Valley.  The high places were not taken away from Israel; nevertheless, Asa was wholehearted his entire life.” (v.16-17)

God wants a complete heart—and that necessitates a clean heart.  He cannot fill us with righteousness, if our soul is cluttered with wickedness.  The sewage of sin had to be flushed away.  Whatever it took, Asa was willing to do—even kicking out his grandmother for her evil ways!  Now, that is being serious about sin!

What is hindering you from receiving all that God has for you?  What skeleton is in your closet that you refuse to remove and bury forever?  No one else may know its there—but God sees.  Confess the sin—expose it for the evil it is, rather than excusing it—and the blood of the Lamb will cleanse it!   Here is the promise:  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 HCSB)

God wants to show His power to a heart devoted to Him.  This is displayed by returning to the Lord and removing of the evil.  One other thing is needful: RELYING ON HIS POWER (2 Chronicles 16).

“At that time, Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, ‘Because you depended on the king of Aram and have not depended on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.  Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? When you depended on Yahweh, He handed them over to you.  For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His. You have been foolish in this matter. Therefore, you will have wars from now on.’" (v.7-9)

“In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a disease in his feet, and his disease became increasingly severe. Yet even in his disease he didn't seek the Lord but [only] the physicians.” (v.12)

A surrendered heart is a submissive heart.  Our strength is found in heavenly reliance on God, not in human resources.   The promising reign of Asa never reached all that it might have attained because of his trusting in man, rather than God.  He was good—but not great—because, at the last, he was more concerned with making himself great rather than staying good.

The final pages of the last chapter of Asa’s life portray a hurting, angry and bitter monarch—stubbornly trying to work things out instead of crying out for God to work.  To his credit, he never abandoned the worship of God and plunging back into idolatry.  But, in the latter years, he was just going through the motions.  This is how the New Testament describes it:  “holding to the form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:5a HCSB)

This seems to be the problem in much of orthodox Christianity today.  Old Vance Havner said, “You can be straight as a gun barrel theologically, and empty as one spiritually.”  Such churches hold to doctrinal fidelity, they practice Biblical morality, but never experience the manifestation of God powerfully.  The former is not negotiable, but the latter is indispensable. 

Think of it as a three-legged stool.  Take away any of the legs and it cannot stand.  We must believe the right things, we must behave the right way, but we must also trust in the right power.  God is looking for someone this day who will be that man or woman.  He longs to pour His power in and through such a heart.