Winning the Battle doesn't always equal winning the war.

The prophet returns to Ahab with a warning. 22

This seems to have happened immediately following Ahab’s victory over Ben-Hadad last week.

He tells Ahab to go back into Samaria and begin preparations.

Now, remember, he has just routed the kings of Syria.

It is time for celebration and rejoicing.

The prophet, though, tells Ahab to work at strengthening himself because the Syrians will be back.

In fact, he even gives him a timeline.

One year.

They will be back for revenge in one year.

One year is not a long time to prepare for a battle.

We don’t know what preparations Ahab made.

We do see what Ben-Hadad was doing during his year.

Ben-Hadad receives counsel on how to defeat the Israelites. 23-25

Change the battlefield.

No messing around this time.

Get rid of the kings.

Replace them with military commanders.

Rebuild your army just as strong as it was before.

Chariot for chariot

Horse for horse

As the Lord warned, Syria returns to attack Israel. 26-27

Both kings number their soldiers and meet for battle.

When the two armies meet, the Syrian army fills the country.

The Israelite army looks like two little flocks of baby goats.

There doesn’t appear to be any contest in this matchup.

God sends one of his men to strengthen Ahab. 28-30

Facing this great foe, God knows the weakness of the king.

He sends a messenger to assure Ahab that God will give the victory.

He reminds Ahab that this battle and the victory that will come is not about him, it’s about God.

God’s reputation is on the line.

By engaging the enemy, Ahab has opened himself up to the possibility of God giving Him victory.

For seven days they faced off against one another.

On the seventh day, the battle started.

Once again, God gives Israel an incredible victory.

The different battlefield, makes no difference.

The different commanders, made no difference.

The might and number of their soldiers made no difference.

Israel’s little army slew 100,000 men on that day.

The Syrians were routed and fled to Aphek.

There, a wall fell on the retreating army and slew 27,000 men.

All the while, Ben-Hadad is sent hiding, fearing for his life.

The message tonight is a warning for us as well.

You may have won some victories over your flesh, the world, and Satan in your life.

The proper response ti these victories is to strengthen yourself and prepare for the next attack.

It is not to gloat or become puffed up.

If sin is unsuccessful in one area of your life, it will be back with new and different strategies.

Don’t think sin will come back wounded and limping.

It will change the place of attack.

It will come at you with more capable tacticians.

It will muster every ounce of strength it can to overthrow you.

The return of sin to our lives is a sure thing.

You can always count on sin to come back trying to gain entrance into your life.

When sin throws it’s weight at you, it can seem like an unbeatable battle.

Just as God was with you in the past, He will be with you in the future.

You are His child, you represent HIm.

When we engage the enemy to stand up to or resist sin, God is with us.

He can give you the victory over sin.

Not just a partial victory, He can give you total victory.