“And the king of Israel answered and said, My Lord, O king, according to what you say, I am yours, and all that I have.” 1 Kings 20:4 (Amplified)
Moments earlier, Israel’s King Ahab had received an ultimatum from his belligerent Syrian counterpart King Ben-Hadad, demanding everything Ahab possessed including his wives and children and what was Ahab’s response? He capitulated. His exacts words are those quoted in the above passage. Ahab just rolled over and played dead when confronted with a tough challenge. The question is why didn’t he put up a fight and defend all he held dear or isn’t that what honourable men are supposed to do?
The truth is that Ahab’s fearful and acquiescent response to the great challenge facing him is more typical than we would like to admit especially if it was unexpected. For example how would you have reacted if an innocent visit to the doctor is quickly transformed into a death sentence – “You have a terminal illness!” or if your spouse slapped a demand for divorce on you when you thought thing were going just fine or discover that your lovely child is on drugs or worse? How would you have reacted, at least initially? I think viewed from the human perspective you would have exclaimed “Oh My God, why me?” The devil will quickly take advantage of the shock to present to you the worst case scenario and before you know it fear would have gripped you as you realise your helplessness and confront your mortality.
Ahab had just been confronted with a choice – fight or die, for that was the ultimate end of the challenge. Before then he had enjoyed a wonderful life. He neither wanted death nor to fight. He was a gentleman who only wanted to live. He did not want to trouble anyone and would certainly not welcome trouble from anyone. His watchword was peace, even if it comes at a heavy price. He just wanted to live in peace. Ahab just wanted the problem that was Ben-Hadad and his goons to disappear, but he soon realised that they weren’t going anywhere and that he really would have to fight or die for there is no appeasing an enemy who is hell-bent on destroying you.
One of the ways the devil likes attacking us is in the form of a lightning strike ‘out of the blue’. These unexpected attacks can have devastating and paralysing effects on us such that we are simply too numb to resist him as enjoined by God’s word. This is his original intent; his shock and awe tactic. So, how can we ensure that Satan does not catch us unawares and so make the appropriate response to his attacks? The key is to be spiritually alert. 1 Pet 5:8-10. We need to understand that life is not a picnic, but a series of battles and that we are the soldiers that would fight that war. In spiritual warfare, there are no reservists or conscientious objectors. You also can’t sit on the fence. We are all frontline soldiers. Satan’s aim is always the same irrespective of the field of attack. He wants to steal, kill and destroy. He is after you and all that God has blessed you with and he won’t stop until he has erased you from the surface of the earth. Today it is your marriage. Tomorrow it could be your child, business or health. Therefore, be vigilant. Don’t be blindsided! God is your strength, so fight to win.
Prayer:
Lord, your word commands me to fight the good fight of faith. Increase my spiritual understanding and faith. Cause your strength to overshadow my weakness and fight through me to the honour of your name. Amen.