Nothing too complicated for God
Posted on January 27, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Do you ever think that your situation or the challenges you face are too much for God? We probably wouldn’t actually say yes to that if we really thought about it. But I know I sometimes live like this. I run around and try to figure out things to the best of my ability. Then I come to the end of my knowledge or wisdom or ideas. Sometimes, its only then that I turn to God.
I read today about His amazing ability to accomplish His purposes despite man’s attempts to frustrate them. There was a king named Ahab who ruled northern Israel for over 20 years. He led them away from God into Baal worship (pagan stuff; lots of weirdness and crazy dancing before carved stones – not the Rolling Stones but there is crazy dancing before them too – hmm). Ahab decides to go to war against Syria. He wants affirmation so he calls in 400 yes prophets for encouragement.
His ally, Jehoshaphat, listens to the yes men. Then asks “Is there not another prophet of the Lord?” Ahab states flat out “I hate him. He never prophesies good.” But Jehoshaphat convinces Ahab to hear this prophet Micaiah.
The messenger bringing in Micaiah pleads with him to tow the party line. Say yes to the yes men. Micaiah at first plays along. But Ahab sees right through it. “What do you really think?”
Micaiah reveals that Ahab’s army is going to be wiped out and that God ordained the 400 yes men to encourage Ahab to go. You’d think Ahab would be smart enough to stay home. But he’s out to go to war and show God up. So he thinks he has the solution.
He and Jehoshaphat will go into battle. But Ahab will wear a disguise – perhaps just an ordinary soldiers outfit. He tells Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes anyway. (Why did Jehoshaphat agree to this dumb suggestion?) The Syrians only want to get Ahab. But now he’s disguised. Ahab thinks he’s outsmarted God.
How would the Syrians get him? There’s no Google Earth to search for him on his palace grounds. They can’t do a Google image search on “Ahab.” They at first attack Jehoshaphat because he’s the only dude dressed like a king. But they somehow realize its not Ahab.
Then comes 1 Kings 22:34 – “But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate.”
At random! An ordinary archer. He picks out an ordinary looking soldier. The arrow strikes the tiny opening between the armor and breastplate. Ahab dies. God accomplished His ultimate purpose in spite of 400 yes men, a revelation of his plan in advance, a disguise and no Google image.
This is just one of hundreds of examples in Scripture where God accomplishes His purposes despite complex obstacles opposing Him.
So back to your life and mine. Too complex for God? Too challenging? Don’t think so. Know so.
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