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Today is December 15, 2018
It is hard to believe that we are in December and Christmas is only a little over a week away. I will post a Christmas message next week.
This morning I turned to the book of 2 Chronicles in my bible. I opened to the book to chapter 18, I had just read this same passage a few weeks ago. When this happens, I know the Lord has something he wants to teach me through these verses. Hebrews 4:12 NIV says “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” God uses his word to speak to us; many times he will use the same verses to speak something completely different, a different meaning from the same words. I have experienced this many times and know that God’s word is alive and active. These words of the Lord were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God and written down by men. God uses men and women to accomplish his will. That is what I want to talk about in today’s blog post.
In 2 Chronicles 18, Ahab king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah are discussing going to war against Ramoth Gilead and the country of Aram. Jehoshaphat says “First seek the counsel of the Lord” before going out to do battle with the Arameans. So, Ahab brought out 400 prophets to give them the counsel of the Lord. They asked the prophets; “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?” The prophets replied; “Go, for God will give it into the king’s hand”. But, Jehoshaphat asked, ” Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?” He must not have believed the 400 prophets were prophesying God’s will. Ahab answers; “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” So, Micaiah was brought before the two kings. Ahab asked him, ” Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, shall I not?” Micaiah answers; “Attack and be victorious, for they will be given into your hand.” King Ahab answers; “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” Verse 16 says; “Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, “‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’” The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?” Then Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with the multitudes of heaven standing on his right and his left. ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit cam forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘ I will entice him.’ ” ‘By what means?’ The Lord asked. “‘ I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. ” ‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’ “So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”
We know from the rest of the chapter, that Ahab and Jehoshaphat did not heed Micaiah’s warning, and did go to war against Ramoth Gilead. And also, that king Ahab was killed in the battle.
This is a very interesting passage, because it gives us a snapshot of the inner workings of heaven in Micaiah’s vision. It reveals how God can use spirits to work through people to accomplish his will. In this case a lying or deceiving spirit in the mouths of the 400 prophets. And, only through the Holy Spirit of God was the truth revealed by Micaiah. Yet, the two kings did not heed the warning.
Often, this was the case in scripture, the people did not heed the warnings of the prophets. God would then use another kingdom to carry out his judgements against the people of Israel and Judah.
Does God still work like this today? Does he use other people and even spirits to accomplish his will?
Numbers 23:19 New International Version (NIV)
19 God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Psalm 55:19 New International Version (NIV)
19 God, who is enthroned from of old,
who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them,
because they have no fear of God.
These verses say God does not change. So, the answer is; yes, God can and will use any means necessary to accomplish his will. And. he often uses people to make it happen. God is in control of everything including the devil and deceiving spirits. They can not do anything without his permission. Many times God’s will is done in a way we as humans would never have dreamed or conceived in our minds. But, God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways.
So, what are the take a ways from this passage?
- God’s will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven
- God works in ways we can’t always see or understand
- God uses whatever means necessary to accomplish his will, including using people and spirits.
- The Holy Spirit will reveal the truth to us
Today we as Christians have the Holy Spirit living inside us, and scripture says he will lead us into all truth. If, you want to know the truth about the circumstances or situation you are in? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you.
Life can be complicated, but God is in control of everything. If we learn to trust him and seek him for the truth in every situation, life becomes less complicated.
Remember, God is using each of us in some way to accomplish his will. When we are at one with him, and not fighting him, this process is much less stressful.
Blessings to each of you today! Thank you for reading my blog.Edit