FAITH CAPSULE: Do you know Him to call on Him rather than counting on man?
2 Chronicles 18: 28-34
Doubt of man is the evidence of man’s counting on man instead of counting on God. When man with doubt is looking up to God door is not going to be open. Without doubt, looking to man for intervention instead of counting on God for intervention is a certainty failure. Many claims to be a believer of God yet counting on man with persuasive and empty words and faking as agent of God. Also, counting on man is engaging an inevitable route for doubt which builds up to disappointment and fear. Doubt, disappointment or fear will lead to self-destruction.
Ahab the King of Israel invited Jehoshaphat the King of Judah to join forces with him against Ramoth Gilead for war. King Ahab refused Prophet Micaiah’s warning of God for his going to war against Ramoth Gilead. In the place of God, Ahab counted on his chosen four hundred prophets word for him to go for war. Ahab doubted word of God through Prophet Micaiah. Jehoshaphat was reluctant about going to war by the word of four hundred prophets. Ahab, persisted going to war as stated, “…I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.” (2 Chronicles 18:29) Ahab’s self-deception is the evidence of his doubt in the word of God. Doubt of Ahab prompted him to disguise himself by counting on man’s word in the place of God’s word.
Word of God which locates man directly or indirectly does not open for self-destruction. King Ahab went to war against the word of God. Without iota of doubt, King Jehoshaphat did not disguise but depended on God. As the battle intensified Jehoshaphat was surrounded by enemies. It is written, “…when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore, they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him, and God diverted them from him.” (2Chronicles 18:31) Jehoshaphat had no doubt in God and did not disguise himself. Jehoshaphat depended on God’s word and the Lord God diverted his enemies away from him. Ahab made the choice to disguise himself to war because he counted on man’s word. Ahab was a victim of self as he was destroyed in the hand of his enemy. There is no way for deliverance when doubt and deception is a way of life. Ahab had no God to on while man was no competent for his deliverance from his enemy. Jehoshaphat trusted on God when he called out to God for his deliverance.
Does your situation sound like that of a stranded man? It could be that it is time for you to call on Jesus’ for intervention. Do you know Him to call on Him rather than counting on man?
Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of looking up to Him in all areas of God given life to you