VICTORY IN THE VALLEYS OF LIFE ‘THEN A MAN OF GOD CAME AND SPOKE TO THE KING OF ISRAEL, AND SAID, “THUS SAYS THE LORD; BECAUSE THE SYRIANS HAVE SAID, THE LORD IS GOD OF THE HILLS, BUT HE IS NOT GOD OF THE VALLEYS, THEREFORE I WILL DELIVER ALL THIS GREAT MULTITUDE INTO YOUR HAND, AND YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.” (1Kings.20:28) The 9th century B.C was a dark time for the nation of Israel. Syria under the ruthless king, Ben-Hadad, held mastery over Israel. It had always been God’s will for Israel to walk in dominion and exercise authority over all their enemies, but through weakness and compromise Israel had found themselves languishing under the tyranny of their cruel enemies to the north. It was an insult to Jehovah that His covenant people whom He had delivered from the bondage of Egypt and before whom He had driven out the Canaanites should now be oppressed by the Syrians. It was indeed a sad time for Israel. Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, is a type of the devil. Like Ben-Hadad, the devil is a cruel tyrant who seeks to exploit weakness. We need to understand that the devil is a remorseless monster who is more malevolent than we can imagine. There is not the slightest particle of pity or compassion to be found in his blighted being, and he will never feel sorry for you or me. The devil is a thief whose only motive is to steal, kill, and destroy. If there is anything good in your life, you can be sure that the devil wants to steal it, kill it, and destroy it. No matter how much misery the devil brings into the life of a human being, he only wants to bring more, he will never feel remorse or extend mercy. So it was with Ben-Hadad and his tyrannical oppression of Israel. His imposition grew heavier and his demands more extreme, until one day he issued the most devastating ultimatum: (Read, 1 kings.20:2-6) Can you imagine a more cruel and extreme edict? A demented tyrant demanding that you relinguish your wife, your children, and all of your money to him! Not only, but he commanded soldiers to search your house in order that every pleasant thing you own might be confiscated. Think of the horror of Ben-Hadad’s demand! Yet, this is exactly what the devil wants to do in your life. He wants to steal your finances, kill your children, and destroy your marriage. The devil wants to send demons into your home to rob you of every good thing that God has ever given to you. Does this very thought of it make you angry? Well, it made Israel mad- fighting mad! Some time you have to get mad and say, enough is enough! Some times you need the spirit of Popeye to come on you and say, ‘I’ve had all I can stand and I can’t stand no more!’ Halleluyah!! Halleluyah!!! The king of Israel conferred with the elders and they concluded that they have to fight, they decided that it will be better to die in the battle as a brave men than to submit as cowards to Ben-Hadad’s intolerable demands, so, the king of Israel sent a message to Ben-Hadad: “This thing I cannot do” (1kings.20:9) The mad infidel became furious and swore to reduce Israel to handfuls of dust. The next day the army of Syria with it’s 32 regiments marched against Israel and the vastly outnumbered army of Israel went forth to meet them in battle. On the hills of Samaria , the two armies collided. The rumble of chariots reverberated through the hills, swords shocked upon shields, and the soldiers of Israel fought as desperate men. They fought for their wives, they fought for their children, they fought for their freedom, and then the miracle happened----- When Israel fought, God fought, that was the promise God had made—“ Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” (Joshua.10:25) God bless the nation of Israel! What a glorious victory Israel won on the hills of Samaria that day; Israel cast off the yoke of oppression, the Syrians were defeated with great slaughter, and king Ben-Hadad suffered the humiliating indignity of fleeing for his life on horse. What a celebration was had in Israel that night. Halleluyah!!! This is exactly what will happen when you make up your mind to stop yielding to the devil and to start fighting him, you will be delivered from the yoke of oppression, the demon hordes of darkness will be defeated, and the devil himself will have to flee from you! Amen! “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James.4:7)
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 06:44:31 +0000
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