CONFRONTATION WITHOUT CONFIRMATION
2 Chronicles 18

As a believer in the name of the almighty God, knowing who you are will be a determining factor in how you end up on the journey of life. Once, during King Jehoshaphat of Judah’s visitation to Ahab king of Israel, his assistance was requested in joining Ahab against Ramoth Gilead.  “So Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?” And he answered him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will be with you in the war.” (2 Chronicles 18:3) King Jehoshaphat’s knowing who he was prompted his request from Ahab stating, “…Please inquire for the word of the LORD today” (2 Chronicles 18:4) It is written in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Knowing who you are will always request calling for God’s direction in every area of life. However, calling on God for direction can be very challenging where there is a ready made decision about what to do or what to get. In the case of King Ahab, he knew what he wanted to do and how to go about it before calling on God for direction. Ahab wanted to go against Ramoth Gilead and all that he wanted to hear was a direction to go to war with victory prophesied. Often time, man forgets that God cannot be put in a container and neither can He be lead because He is the Leading leader. In response to Jehoshaphat, King Ahab “…Gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?” So they said, “Go up, for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.” (2 Chronicles 18:5) King Ahab heard what he wanted to hear but Jehoshaphat wanted a confirmation. King Ahab responded, “…There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah…” (2 Chronicles 18:7) Jehoshaphat, knowing who he was, insisted on getting a confirmation before getting into a confrontation. Anytime a believer makes a move without a confirmation it becomes a confrontation with the opposition (the evil one). Four hundred prophets spoke what King Ahab wanted to hear but Micaiah stood out and gave the word of God, “…I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master. Let each return to his house in peace.’”(2 Chronicles 18:16) Confrontation against the enemy without His confirmation is equal to termination. King Ahab went to war without God and he became history when he could not return from the war in peace.
 
Prayer for the day: Lord let it become of me to become a constant and consistent listener to your direction.