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Sermon
of 10-06-01
God's
Unstoppable Will
God
works out his will through and in spite of us.
by
Dr. D.A. Farmer, pastor
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
1 Peter 3:15.
23 years ago I was living in Hobbs NM. I was a drummer with 2 masters - drugs & music. Today I'm an
ordained minister. How could that happen?
God says in Proverbs 19:21, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
I want us to focus our attention on a portion of scripture this morning that I believe will both challenge and encourage us. What I want us to consider together is what is God's will for us? Then we will look at how we cooperate with Him in accomplishing His will for us.
2 Chronicles chapters 17 through 20 tell the story of King Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah. Please turn with me and let us focus on chapter 17 and 18.
The story found here in these 2 chapters shows us that the will of God can affect every aspect of our lives. It also shows that what might be our will for our life may not always be God's
will. Chapters 17 and 20 make it clear that it is the will of God that has made us what we are and we are held accountable for what we do with what He has done for us.
King Jehoshaphat was a devout and prosperous king. Jehoshaphat was loyal to God. In chapter 17 Ezra (who I believe wrote 1st and 2nd Chronicles) makes it clear that all Jehoshaphat had accomplished was because the Lord was with him. The Lord had firmly established the entire kingdom of Judah fully under Jehoshaphat's control. Chapter 17 also makes it clear that King Jehoshaphat saw to it that the Word of God was taught throughout Judah. So evident was the blessing of the Lord upon him that according to verse 10, "The fear of the Lord was upon all the kingdoms surrounding Judah, and they did not go to war with Jehoshaphat."
But chapter 18 starts telling us a different story. Something happens to Jehoshapht and his kingdom. According to 2 Chron. 21:6 and 2 Kings 8:26 Jehoshaphat's son married Ahab's and Jezebel's daughter. But this union of Judah and Israel only brought disaster.
Chapter 18:2 - 5 explains that Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab the king of Israel. Special honor was shown to Jehoshaphat. Before the visit is over Ahab persuades Jehoshaphat to unite with him in war. Ahab had hoped that by joining their forces together he might regain Ramoth Gilead.
Jehoshaphat in a moment of weakness acted rashly and promised to join King Ahab in war. But his better judgment led him to wonder what God's will concerning this partnership might be?
In verse 3 Ahab asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?" And Jehoshaphat replied,
"I am as you are. My people are as your people. Yes we will go to war with you." But folks there is a problem here. We know from chapter 17 that Jehoshaphat and his people are not as Ahab and the Israelites. If Jehoshaphat ever made a dumb decision in his life - it was here. This alliance is not what God had desired. That is crystal clear in the opening part of chapter 19. Later read all of chapter 19.
Friends, Jehoshaphat had everything to lose. He had nothing to gain because the Lord had already given him everything he would ever need. God had a plan for Jehoshaphat but teaming up with Ahab was not part of that plan. Jehoshaphat asks Ahab in verse 4 what God has to say about this partnership. So verse 5 tells us Ahab summoned 400 of his prophets for an answer. Listen,
"And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
V:5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to
Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver [it] into the king's hand."
Jehoshaphat is still not convinced. So he replies in verses 6 and 7: "But Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him? V:7
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same [is] Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so."
In verse 8 Ahab orders that Micaiah be brought to them quickly. "And the king of Israel called for one [of his] officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla."
While they're off getting Micaiah, these 400 false prophets put on a little skit for the kings. They even brought their own props. Verse 10 tells us that one of the prophets made iron horns for himself.
"And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed."
Then in Verse 11 it says that all the other prophets prophesied saying, "And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to
Ramoth Gilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the king."
Folks you realize that this is probably the first time in history that 400 religious leaders are in total agreement. There is a point to be made here. Since when is a consensus of people a standard of truth? Just because there are a crowd of people in agreement doesn't make what they say truth. It's sad but true; we are living in a time when the majority votes something that makes it truth. But it doesn't! Be careful because crowds are more often foolish than wise. God's people have always been in the minority - never the majority!
And here in our story we find 400 payroll prophets wanting to keep their jobs, so they tell the king exactly what he wants to hear. Now listen to verses 12 and 13;
"And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets [declare] good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. And Micaiah said, [As] the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak."
At least here is one that who has allowed the Lord to directed his life. He would only speak what the Lord told him to speak. He didn't care what others thought of him. He didn't care about his job. He only wanted the truth to be spoken. Then in verse 14 it says:
"And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to
Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand."
Wait a minute. Didn't Micaiah just say he would only speak what the Lord told him? This verse makes him sound like one of 400 false prophets. But really he is only telling the king exactly what he wants he wants to hear. And the king knows it. That's why the king says to him in verse 15:
"And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?"
The king knows this is nothing more than a joke. He knows that is not what the Lord said. So the King says, "Tell me nothing but the truth from God." There must have been something in the tone of Micaiah's voice that was a dead give away that this wasn't God's message. And in verse 16 Micaiah says, "You got it, sir." Listen, "Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return [therefore] every man to his house in peace."
Verse 17 says Ahab at this time leans over to Jehoshaphat and says, "See, I told you he'd give me nothing but the old
doom and gloom real soon tune." V:17 "And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee [that] he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?"
But now notice what happens next. Micaiah gives King Ahab and us today a rare glimpse into the heavenly throne room of God. Verses 18 through 22;
"Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and [on] his left. V:19
And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at
Ramoth Gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner. V:20
Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?
V:21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And [the LORD] said, Thou shalt entice [him], and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do [even] so. V:22
Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee."
I believe this story's message is twofold here. The "no shepherd, no master" can only mean one thing. King Ahab is to he killed. That is clear. Also is the fact that it is Satan who desires to bring about the death of Ahab. And notice the Lord does not stop the devil from doing so.
Friends, just because God sometimes refuse's to hold back the forces of evil doesn't mean God directly sends the evil. As long as God's restraining hand is stretched out, Satan is not permitted to harm or kill. But when God's hand is removed, then Satan can go forth in his work of death and destruction. (See GC 614 for more details). You see God is allowing the king's modus operandi to be his own undoing. God at times allows those who oppose Him to choose how they're going down. And these payroll prophets are nothing more than "yes men" speaking exactly what the devil has wants them to speak. And Ahab marks out his course. He is determined to follow his course no matter what the cost. Verse 28 says:
"So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to
Ramoth Gilead."
Back up in verse 23 we find that one of the prophets become so upset that he slaps Micaiah.
"Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?" The Clear Word put it this way,
"When did the Spirit of the Lord leave me and speak to you?"
In other words, "When did God's Spirit leave me to speak to you and tell you what His Will is?" I wonder if this false prophet ever knew what the Will of God is? Do you want to know what God's Will is for each of us? Listen to Psalm 40:8,
"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law [is] within my heart."
God's Will is keeping His Law! Obeying Him when He speaks to us through His Written Word. How could God's people be so blind here in our story? How could they just
plain out and out disobey the clear Word of God? But friends, don't be so quick to judge. This story is being repeated today over and over in our world.
Romans 12:2 says: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Satan can try throwing his darts at us. He can try to make our life miserable. But all he is doing is digging his own grave deeper. Making his own fire hotter. The children of God have nothing to worry about as long as they stay close to Jesus.
But I have to warn you my friends, there is danger in disobedience. Our last principle this morning comes from verses 28 through 34 of 2 Chro. Here we find that when a person ignores the will of God, it puts him or her at great risk. They story continues to tell us that both Jehoshaphat and Ahab would have to learn the hard way that the will of God cannot be changed.
Verse 28 says that Ahab and Jehoshaphat went up to Ramoth Gilead. But verse 29 says that for some reason King Ahab decides to disguise himself.
"So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to
Ramoth Gilead. V:29
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle." He probably was hoping that by hiding his true identity he might escape the death wish foretold by Micaiah.
Now it just so happened verse 30 says that the king from Syria had given the orders to his chariot captains to fight with no one except the king of Israel, Ahab.
"Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that [were] with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel." But don't miss how Jehoshaphat escapes in the last part of verse 31. It says that Jehoshapht cried out to God and God heard and helped him. "And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It [is] the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them [to depart] from him." Because of the way Jehoshaphat was dressed they thought he was King Ahad. Verse says 32 says the army left when they realized it wasn't king Ahab.
"For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him."
I wonder if verse 31 is where get the phrase "Jumping Jehoshaphat?" I don't know - maybe.
Friends, surely if not for the Lord's intervention, Jehoshaphat would have lost his life. He placed himself on the enemy's ground. But in spite of his foolish mistake, God was merciful, and intervened to save his life. Verse 33 says a certain man took a lucky shot by drawing back his bow and arrow and struck King Ahab right between the joints of his armor.
"And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded."
Friends to ignore God's Will can place us, just like Jehoshaphat at great risk. Jehoshaphat was in a battle that he should never have been fighting. Verse 34 tells us that at sunset - king Ahab died.
"And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed [himself] up in [his] chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died." And that same fate can come to us if we don't listen and heed God's will for us.
God's will for us is spending time daily in His Word. Learning it - sharing it and living it. God's
will is for you and I to be saved. Only it's up to us to make that decision. He will not force us to accept
salvation. Neither you nor I can change God's will. He has told us what we need to do in order to be saved.
You can try putting on a disguise and think you can fool God into believing you are living a Christian life when you know you are not. But friends, try as you might, you can never, ever fool God.
2 Corinthians 6:2 says; "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Friends, this world is quickly coming to a close. In light with what has happen in New York and Washington, is there any doubt in your heart.
Revelation 7:1-3 says; "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. V:2
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
V:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."
Those Angles are about to release their hold. God is holding them back until all His children have made their decision. Have you made your decision yet? God is offering the opportunity to come to Him. And His Will is for you to come as you are. He wants to change you. All He is asking this morning is for you to give Him your heart fully.
Friends, God's unstoppable Will is His love for you and His desire for you to be saved. My prayer for you is that you too will heed to His Will today!
For more reading see PK pg. 190 and 196.
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