Daily Devotional for Monday, April 14

Ahab’s First Conquest

“And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord,” 1 Kings 20:13.

Ahab, king of Israel, faced his first significant military challenge when Ben-hadad, king of Syria, besieged Samaria with a formidable army, demanding Ahab’s surrender and the surrender of his possessions. Initially, Ahab responded to Ben-hadad’s demands with diplomacy, agreeing to his terms and offering concessions. However, Ben-hadad’s greed knew no bounds, and he sought to exploit Ahab further, demanding even more.

Despite his efforts at diplomacy, Ahab’s attempts to appease Ben-hadad failed, and war became inevitable. However, God did not abandon Ahab in his time of need. Through a prophet, He assured Ahab of victory over Ben-hadad and the Syrian army.

Ahab’s first conquest teaches us valuable lessons about trust, obedience and reliance on God’s promises. In the face of overwhelming odds, Ahab demonstrated a willingness to seek divine guidance and trust in God. Ahab’s initial attempts at appeasement remind us of the dangers of compromise and the importance of standing firm in our faith. Though diplomacy has its place, compromise shatters our integrity and nullifies our trust in God’s provision.

As we face our own battles and challenges, may we be challenged by Ahab’s example to seek God’s guidance, trust in His promises, and stand firm in our faith. Like Ahab, let us not be swayed by fear or intimidation but remain steadfast in our reliance on God’s strength and provision. Ahab’s first conquest serves as a reminder that victory is not achieved through our own might or cunning, but through the power of God working in and through us. 

CHALLENGE

As we place our trust in God and obey His commands, He will guide us to triumph over every obstacle and adversary that stands in our way.

Steven Ridings