“The king of Israel answered, Tell him: Let not him who girds on his harness boast as he who puts it off.” 1 Kings 20:11 (Amplified)
In modern parlance, the above statement translates as ‘He that is mobilising for war should not boast as he who is already on a victory parade.’ Although King Ahab had complied with his initial demand, Ben-Hadad was not dissuaded and decided to up the ante, forcing Ahab to realise that there was no getting away from a confrontation. His final response, the significance of which was not lost on Ben-Hadad is quoted in our anchor passage. So, why the sudden change? Why capitulate one day and then pick up the cudgel the next? Was it because Ahab belatedly realised that he had something worth fighting for or discovered that he had a secret weapon with which to defeat the infinitely superior armour of his enemy? What changed?
Ahab always knew that he had something worth fighting for, he just didn’t know how or whether he could win; hence the first response. His second response proved that he finally saw the light. The simple truth is that Ahab was a man whose commitment to God had lapsed, thanks to his wife, Jezebel’s evil influence. Nevertheless, somewhere in the recesses of his heart, Ahab still believed in God. Whatever his personal foibles, Ahab was still the king of a nation that was in covenant with God. So, it was that covenant that was now under threat. Ahab must have recalled the episode of Mount Carmel and the spectacle of the God that answered by fire and this caused a spark to light in his heart. It ignited faith within his heart, which emboldened him to utter the victorious statement above. This was in spite of the fact that the odds were heavily stacked against him. Ahab chose to commit this demonic challenge to God and spoke in faith, claiming victory over the mountain of trouble that Ben-Hadad represented. Of course, God responded and routed his enemies until their threats dissipated.
So, if Satan’s attack initially caught you unawares, well you now know the score and can mount an appropriate response. The good news is that God has not changed. He can deliver those who call on Him and magnify His name whatever the circumstance. He has given us the means with which to defend our turfs as well as attack and defeat the enemy of our souls. He sent Jesus Christ to defeat Satan on our behalf and He has in turn delegated His authority to us. This means that we are destined to win whatever battle Satan might choose to fight with us. All we need to do is recall His victory over the devil on the Cross of Calvary and understand that Jesus Christ has invited us to share in that victory and do what is right by resisting the devil in our lives.
God expects us to put on our spiritual armour and confront Satan by refusing him space in our lives, since his vile intention is to convert a yard into a mile and dominate us. Hence, your marriage is worth fighting for and so is your life. So, fill your heart with God’s word and hurl it in anger against the devil. Where Satan is concerned, the bible assures us that we will do more than conquer; we will triumph chiefly because God is the strength of our lives and our portion forever Psa 119:57.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to understand the fact that you and I are an unbeatable team. Cause your word to alter my wrong perspective of you. Let me see you for who you are so that your victory and, in extension, my victory can be real to me in Jesus name. Amen