Sun.’s Devo - Ahab / Jehoshaphat

Read: 1 Kings 22:1-40; 2 Chron. 19-20
Once again, the kings of Israel and Judah are going to war together against the people of Ramoth-gilead. Ahab, the king of Israel asks his false prophets and with much pomp and circumstance they proclaim victory. Then, for the sake of the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, they ask God’s prophet, Micaiah. First, they prep him with the prophecies of their prophets and warn him to agree, so he sarcastically agrees. The king sees through his sarcasm and asks for the truth. The truth is Micaiah saw all Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd. He explained to them that God sent the false prophets to trick him into going to war and dying.
Zedikiah, the false prophet that made a helmet with iron horns to give them a picture of their victory slapped Micaiah on the cheek and Micaiah was sent, once again, to the prison to wait for the kings return. Micaiah told Zedikiah that he would find himself hiding in an inner chamber but the king would not return.
Ahab thought he could trick the enemy, and God, so he disguised himself and went into battle. A random arrow was launched by the enemy and it found its way right to the very joint in his armor. (God is a perfect shot). When they washed his blood from his chariot, the dog’s licked it up. It was in Naboth’s vineyard thus fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy.
Ahab was one of the most notably wicked kings of Israel, and Jehoshaphat was one of the most godly kings of Judah. Amazingly they made peace with one another. After Ahab died, Ahaziah reigned over Israel. He followed in his father’s footsteps.
Jehoshaphat was the total opposite of Ahab. When his enemies came against him, he cried out to the Lord, called a fast, and reminded the Lord of his promises. The Spirit of the Lord fell on one of the people as Jehoshaphat was praying and told them not to be afraid because the Lord was with them. He told them where the enemy would come from so they could be ready and waiting. Jehoshaphat even humbled himself to ask the people what to do. They decided to send out the singers first. They sang, “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” The moment the enemy heard them they started fighting each other and by the time Jehoshaphat’s army reached them, they had killed each other.
What a strategy for spiritual warfare. When we are up against unbeatable odds, we need to sing praises to the Lord, Demons hate to hear the Lord’s name praised and it confuses them so much they destroy each other.
Lord, thank you for the power of praise. Help us to remember to sing when we feel like crying.