Topic: Don’t Give The Enemy An Inch!
Text: 1 Kings 20: 7a
The king of Israel summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, see how this man is looking for trouble. Amen
One day, Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he went up and besieged Samaria and attacked it. He sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, saying, “This is what Ben-Hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.’”
Ahab, the king of Israel, himself a godless man who couldn’t discern that any inch given the enemy was conducive for further demands by him, foolishly answered, “Just as you say, my lord the king. I and all I have are yours.”
The messengers came again and said, “This is what Ben-Hadad says: ‘I sent to demand your silver and gold, your wives and your children. But about this time tomorrow I am going to send my officials to search your palace and the houses of your officials. They will seize everything you value and carry it away.’”
It was now that the king of Israel realised the enemy wasn’t really in for a joke but to steal, kill and destroy. This time he summoned all the elders of the land and said to them, “See how this man is looking for trouble! When he sent for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold, I did not refuse him.”
Then the elders and the people all answered, “Don’t listen to him or agree to his demands.” Then the weakling Ahab replied to Ben-Hadad’s messengers, “Tell my lord the king, ‘Your servant will do all you demanded the first time, but this demand I cannot meet.’” Ben-Hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if enough dust remains in Samaria to give each of my men a handful.”
Do you now see that it is always going to be a big mistake to negotiate with satan? When he makes demands for your job, finances, academics, career, aspiration, fiancé(e) or spouse, don’t just stand there and hope he will be satisfied and move on to the next house. He will keep demanding till he has possessed your very soul.
Take all authority in Christ Jesus and resist him. He will flee. When Ben Hadad ordered his army to prepare and utterly destroy Isreal for Ahab’s defiance, the Lord sent a prophet to Ahab saying: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the Lord.” (1 kings 20:13)
God is with you and the devil must not be allowed to lay hands on anything that belongs to you. Pray with all fervercy and claim back your joy, hope and praise. Join the army of redeemed believers who are tired of the constant harassment from the devil. Jesus already disarmed the powers and authorities of evil by making a public spectacle of them in great truimph at the cross. (Col 2: 15). Pursue the enemy therefore, overtake him and recover all that which has been taken from you. Enough is enough!
