Missed Opportunity: The Deliverance of Correction – 1 Kings 20

We don’t listen to the coach and fumble the ball, but the coach keeps us in the game. It’s a scenario designed to help us learn to do what the coach instructed, but it only helps when we learn the lesson. God brings opportunities to change that must be recognized and used!
 
 “Change” is a word that brings fear to some, excitement to others. Things will change. They may get better, or may get worse. Yet, they will not stay the same! One of the key messages of the Bible to CHANGE. “Repent” is one of the numerous terms for change in Scripture. What is “godly change” and how does it work?
 
Key Principle: God offers opportunities to change, but they must be recognized and responded to with consistent and growing trust! Flash in the pan obedience will yield moments of victory. Steadily surrendered life will yield true power!
 
Note: Ahab was not a godly man, and yet god granted Him two significant victories in this passage against Ben Hadad of Aram. Though he was not a “godly man”, he became “God’s man” for a season. God doesn’t only use His people to protect and care for His people. He is the Lord of all!
 
Opportunity to Change (20:1-13): God granted to the wayward King an opportunity to change AFTER he brought in false prophets, married a pagan woman, and was humiliated by the contest at Mt. Carmel. How does God offer the opportunity to change?
 
1)       Crisis was created (20:1-3). God patiently drew Ahab into a crisis to get his attention. How many people who now walk with God can testify they first responded to God because of a crisis that was brought to them?
2)       Time was given (20:4-6). Note the messengers sent back and forth, and particularly the phrase “about this time” in verse 6.
3)       Friends were drawn into the fray to offer assistance and counsel to Ahab (20:7,8). They offered words that were personally costly, but were essentially sound in character.
4)       Transparent error was offered by the world (20:9-12). Suddenly, when given a real chance to change, Ahab was able to hear the transparent pride, arrogance and error that he was unable to hear in the past!
5)       Revelation became clear (20:13). Though God spoke in the past, Ahab suddenly heard it! God wanted his attention and mercifully reached out to grasp his heart!
 
Operation of Change (20:14-22): Change has a pattern in Scripture. When it is real, you will observe…
 
1)       Presumptive belief (20:14). Note that Ahab doesn’t reject the essence of the message, but rather questions the “how” of the revealed truth.
2)       Redirection (20:15). At the heart of change is the movement in a new direction; obedience to the Word of a God before neglected.
3)       Empowering 20:26-19). One of the early discoveries of the new follower of God is that the Lord will lift up the choices they make with confounding influences to evil about them!
4)       Victorious operation (20:20-21). Though brought through hard fought battles, trust ans obedience yield victory!
5)       Deepening (20:22). When we follow what God has revealed, God offers more revelation of His truth. He has no need nor desire to cast pearls of truth before thoughtless swine.
 
Object Lesson of Change (20:42-43). Ahab got his victory, then another (20:23-35). God delivered the Aramean king into his hand. Yet, Ahab let him go without offering any prayer of seeking of the Lord. An object lesson of this error was offered in the life of a prophet (20:35-42). Focus for a moment on the final verses of the passage. Verse 42 offers a window to four truths:
 
    * God wants obedience that isn’t just a one shot deal.
    * God wants obedience that understands His broader purposes.
    * God wants obedience that delivers you from further traps in your life.
    * God wants obedience that draws those around you into blessing.
 
 
What kind of change do you want God to bring into your life? He has brought the opportunity, and showed you the operation. Will you now turn away and continue life as though you did not know, or will you change as He has revealed change is to be? God offers opportunities to change, but they must be recognized and responded to with consistent and growing trust! Flash in the pan obedience will yield moments of victory. Steadily surrendered life will yield true power!