What do you do when you receive a promise from the Lord? However, nothing in your life looks like what God said. You tell your friends and family and they believe the promise is false or at least impossible. What do you do? Do you follow the opinions of others or do what the Lord says?
In other words, do you go with the crowd or are you a lone wolf? Do you side with your friends or do you speak out no matter what? Have you ever found yourself following the masses although you knew a better way? It’s easy to jump on the bandwagon and support what everyone supports. However, challenge can arise when we choose to separate and follow a different path. If we do what the Lord says, we know we’re not alone.
The Story: 2 Chronicles 18:9-27
In 2 Chronicles 18:9-27, King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat planned to go war against the Arameans. All of Ahab’s prophets prophesied the success of Ahab in battle. They even declared that he would use a horn to put the enemy to death. Despite this declaration of victory, King Ahab sent a messenger for Micaiah, a prophet, to obtain his report. The messenger told Micaiah to confirm the proclamation of the other prophets. However, Micaiah declared that he would speak what the Lord says. When he appeared before King Ahab, the king asked if he should go ahead in battle or stay back. Initially, the prophet sarcastically agreed with the group of prophets. The king saw through his ruse and demanded he say what the Lord said. Micaiah revealed what the Lord showed him and advised that King Ahab would die in battle.
With the pronouncement of death, Ahab told Jehoshaphat that this prophet never has anything positive to say. Micaiah continued to speak by revealing the Lord’s plan to kill King Ahab by using his prophets to convince Ahab to go into battle. These details upset the other prophets and one of them slapped Micaiah. Despite the assault, Micaiah replied that they would see the truth soon enough. Upset by the words of this prophet, King Ahab threw Micaiah into prison and ordered him to remain there until the king returned from battle. The prophet responded, “If the king returns, then God hadn’t spoken through him, but mark his words.”
The Lesson
What drama in these verses! King Ahab thought he wanted the truth, but he wanted only what he wanted, which was for the prophets to validate his plans. Although the yes people were in abundance, that didn’t mean they were right. Fortunately, Micaiah didn’t side with the crowd but spoke what the Lord said.
Following what the Lord says isn’t easy, and it’s often lonely. Despite this truth, we have some assurances:
- God’s Word is yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). If God said it, it’s settled. We need only wait for the manifestation because it will surely come to pass.
- To suffer with God means to reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:11-14). God gives rewards for those who suffer with Him. Just ask Job. When we’re on the side of Christ, we reap with Him.
- Although we feel alone, God is always with us (Hebrews 13:5). We can rest in what the Lord says because He’s with us at all times. We place our faith in Him because He’s never failed.
