GOD USES WHAT MIGHT SEEM RANDOM TO JUDGE

GOD USES WHAT MIGHT SEEM RANDOM TO JUDGE

But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” And the battle continued that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians, until at evening he died. And the blood of the wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot. —I Kings 22:34-25

            Wicked, evil people do not realize how close they are to our Lord’s judgment which can happen in a variety of ways.  Ahab wanted a vineyard that Naboth owned.  Naboth did not want to sell the land and Ahab, the King of Israel, pouted and would not eat.  “And Jezebel his wife said to him, ‘Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite’” (I Kings 21:7). This wicked woman would be judged for her evil deeds just like Ahab would be.  Those who are doing evil today better beware.  Their end can come when they lest expect it and how they least expect it. 

            Jezebel found false witnesses to accuse Naboth.  Yet Naboth was innocent.  The lying witnesses of Jezebel and her directive to have Naboth stone brought about Naboth’s death.  “As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, ‘Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead’” (I Kings 21:15).  Yes, wicked people will do wicked things to get their wicked way.  God will have the final Word in His time— “Ahab said to Elijah, ‘Have you found me, O my enemy?’  He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the LORD” (I Kings 21:20).  And so judgment would come upon Ahab and his household.  The wickedness of people is far reaching.

            What might seem as something happening at random is not…  “But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate.”  Even though that “certain man drew his bow at random” the arrow was guided to the exact place our Lord desired— “between the scale armor and the breastplate.”  This was the arrow of God’s judgment placed exactly where He wanted it even though “a certain man drew his bow at random.”  Our Lord used that “random” shot for the bullseye of His judgment!  Ahab died by that Lord directed random bow shot of man.

            So today… what might appear to have happened randomly… is not random.  Our Sovereign Lord directs His judgments in various ways.  What is happening around us is not by accident.  We need to be aware and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:2).  Be discerning according to God’s Word.  Yes, Dear Father, may this be the case by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Dear Son Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On-whMoulOM

 

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