1Ki 20:2-3, Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, and said to him, “THUS SAYS BEN-HADAD: ‘YOUR SILVER AND YOUR GOLD ARE MINE; YOUR LOVELIEST WIVES AND CHILDREN ARE MINE.’ “
Thus says Ben-Hadad? For a man following God this would hold no power, no threat, but for Ahab, an evil king, he surrendered all!
1Ki 20:6, but I will send my servants to you tomorrow … AND IT SHALL BE, THAT WHATEVER IS PLEASANT IN YOUR EYES, THEY WILL PUT IT IN THEIR HANDS AND TAKE IT.’ “
BUT BEN-HADAD WANTED MORE!
1Ki 20:13-14, Suddenly a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel, saying, “THUS SAYS THE LORD: ‘HAVE YOU SEEN ALL THIS GREAT MULTITUDE? BEHOLD, I WILL DELIVER IT INTO YOUR HAND TODAY, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’ ” So Ahab said, “BY WHOM?” And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘By the young leaders of the provinces…
BY WHOM? AS CHRISTIANS WE OFTEN SAY THIS TO OURSELVES! HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS? WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY OR THE HELP TO ACCOMPLISH THIS? HE CAN TAKE OUR MEAGER RESOURCES AND MULTIPLY THEM GREATLY!
Zec 4:6, … ‘NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT,’ SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS.
Psa 44:6-7, For I will not trust in my bow, Nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, And have put to shame those who hated us.
KNOW WHERE YOUR STRENGTH COMES FROM; IT’S NOT WITHIN YOU IT’S ABOUT HIM!