Daily Devotional | Who Will Do This?

Who do you look to when you need help? When we were children, we thought our parents could always save the day. But as adults, we realize that our parents or our boss cannot solve every problem we encounter. Their power is limited.

In 1 Kings 18, we saw a clear demonstration of God’s supremacy over Baal. Not only could God’s people look to Him for help, but He alone had the character and power to deliver them. Today’s story illustrates this again. While most of us would have given up on King Ahab, God extended mercy and delivered him from an enemy.

Ben-Hadad, king of Aram (Syria), had attacked Israel, besieging Samaria (v. 1). His army was so powerful that he made outrageous demands of Ahab (vv. 2–5). He boasted: “Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine” (v. 3). During the panic that ensued, the Lord sent a prophet to Ahab with encouragement and instructions. His message: “Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hands today, and then you will know that I am the LORD” (v. 13).

Although Ahab and the nation set their hearts against the God of Israel, God wouldn’t let them go. Instead, He continued to display His power to them in tangible way so that they would realize that He, not Baal, was in control. These physical displays of God’s power were meant to bolster Israel’s faith! In obedience, the Israelites launched a counterattack, and the Syrians were defeated. They would win the next battle as well, and, although Ahab failed to follow through on his victory, Gods glory was displayed for the nation. They knew that God was with them. Now, why wouldn’t they listen?

>> We need this reminder in our own lives. The God we serve is the only One who has the ultimate power. When we are faced with impossible situations, our first thought should be to call on Him!

Pray with Us

Many of us are in impossible situations now, and we ask for help. Comfort us, strengthen us, and send us wisdom and aid. Use our difficult situations for Your glory.

BY Dr. Steven H. Sanchez

Dr. Steven H. Sanchez is professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute. His specific areas of study include the Israelite monarchy, the Pentateuch, the Second Temple period, and biblical archeology. Steven earned his BA from Columbia University (New York), and his ThM and PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary. He was one of 30 faculty contributors to The Moody Bible Commentary.