Everyone needs counsel at one time or another. Whatever vocation or calling you are in, it’s ok to seek guidance. Don’t be afraid to reach out.
King Ben-Hadad, of Aram and King Ahab of Israel go to war. Here we go, once again. The king of Aram puts demands on the king of Israel saying, “Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.” (1 Kings 20: 3)
Does King Ahab refuse his demands? No, he doesn’t. “Just as you say, my lord the king, I and all I have are yours.” (1 Kings 20: 4)
Why didn’t he resist his enemy? Israel’s army was greatly weakened by the 3 1/2 years of drought and famine that had just ended. King Ahab not only gives him what he wants, and also more. King Ben-Hadad requests, “About this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything you value and carry it away!” (1 Kings 20: 6)
Seize everything? Yes, the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to carry away everything we own and everything that is dear to us.
- Don’t compromise with the enemy.
It’s time for King Ahab to put his foot down and say no! The nerve of King Ben-Hadad. Quite demanding isn’t he? So what’s King Ahab to do?
“He summons all the elders of the land and tells them, “He sent for my wives, and my children, my silver and my gold, I did not refuse him.” (1 Kings 20:7)
He is needing some advice. Kings and leaders need to seek counsel as well. His elders tell him, “Don’t listen to him or agree to his demands.” (1 Kings 20: 8)
- Be careful who you take orders from.
- Demanding leaders/people are under demonic rule/role. This is NOT just a character flaw.
God sends a prophet to confirm King Ahab will be victorious in the battle. He tells Ahab to send the young officials first. He listens to the word of the Lord. God shows Israel, once again, his mercy.
The Israeli army advances and overpowered the Arameans. Then next upcoming spring, King Ben-Hadad went up to fight against Israel, again. They join in battle and Israel is gaining another victory, but the king of Aram flees to the city and hides.
His officials approach him and advise him to go to King Ahab and ask him to let you live. He goes to Ahab and says, “Your servant Ben-Hadad says, Please let me live.” (1 Kings 20: 32) He comes in humility and surrender.
King Ahab makes a treaty with him and says, “Come up into my chariot.” (1 Kings 20: 33) He sets him free.
Seems like a good thing, right? Wrong! God had wanted this enemy of Israel destroyed. The prophet comes and rebukes Ahab, “You had set a man free I determined should die.” (1 Kings 20: 42)
Didn’t Jesus do that for us? Doesn’t he set us free when we should have died? His redemption is amazing. We deserve punishment, but we go free.
A commentary said, “King Ahab was sullen and displeased, but not repentant.” (David Guzik)
- Repentance is needed to be set free. (Shared from 1 Kings 20, Modified)
Amos is declaring God’s word repeating this phrase, over and over, saying, “You have not returned to me.” He lists all the things God has done, all the times He brought calamity, but they didn’t return to God.
God is still able to execute judgment. “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth–The Lord God Almighty is His name.” (Amos 4: 13)
He desires to be married to His people, not distant from them.
(Shared from Amos 4: 4-13, Modified)
Paul is speaking about marriage now. When we are in a relationship with the Lord, we are in a marriage. He is our Bridegroom and we are His Bride.
If a husband and wife are not both believers Paul says, this, “The unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her husband.” (1 Corinthians 7: 14)
- Being a believer sanctifies us.
The church was concerned about what to do with the marriages that were not equally yoked with each other in their beliefs. Today, we have the same concerns. We wonder about divorce and remarriage. These same questions arose in the early church.
Paul’s answers were pretty profound. He says, “Keeping God’s commands is what counts.” (1 Corinthians 7: 19)
He encourages them to “Remain as you are.” (1 Corinthians 7: 1-24) He exhorts them to, “Be free from concern…Live in the right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7: 35)
Many times we have questions about how to lead, who should we counsel with, what about marriage? Whatever reason we need counsel for, seek it. Seek God, He will provide our answers, through a trusted friend, through a trusted board of directors, through a pastor or another leader.
God will lead and direct in His way. He is concerned about the things we are concerned with; but, as Paul stated, “Be free of concern.” (1 Corinthians 7: 32)
Be free of being overly concerned. Don’t let our concerns overwhelm and paralyze us. Stay focused on what counts, keeping God’s commands.
Let the Holy Spirit be the Comforter and Counselor, as He is. Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace. Let peace be your guide. (Shared from 1 Corinthians 7: 1-24, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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