12/26/2021 - Sunday

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

That regardless of blessings or curses, wealth or poverty, safety or affliction… that you can do all of those things, come what may through Christ alone?

Regardless of what He provides or what He keeps from you, God’s favor in your life is enough.

Understanding that God’s favor does not equal prosperity or health?

A life that does not have its satisfaction, its trust, its dependence, rooted in God... is an idolatrous life that can produce some of the ugliest fruits of human depravity.

In the chapters before us, 20-21 of 1 Kings, Ahab serves as a warning and a comfort...

For in them we see the evil of Ahab’s idolatrous heart… but we also see at the end, a hope for those like Ahab.

Make sure to have your Bibles open as we won’t read all the verses, though we’ll cover them all, but we’ll read bits and pieces, so you’ll want to have the text in front of you for reference and to follow along

Three things I want us to consider from these events in Ahab’s life...

Are we trusting God after the blessing or only trusting God for the blessing?

Second, do we still trust God when He denies us our desires?

That’s important, because in order for us to be satisfied with what God has given us, we must be satisfied with what awaits in eternity… that requires trust.

Finally, do we trust God with the most important thing we need to trust Him with, our sin?

Let’s begin by looking at the first 12 verses which set the stage for the two battles with Syria. (1-12)

God provides (victories) 20:13-43

Ahab embraced the military favor (victory over Ben-hadad) 13-30

First battle 13-21

Preparations for next battle 22-27

Second battle 28-30

Ahab denied the wisdom and protection of God (made a deal with Ben-hadad) 30-43

Ahab is judged for his disobedience 35-43 (similar to Saul of 1 Sam 15, Agag)

It’s implied in the story by the prophet that Ahab knew he was to slay Ben-hadad

Consider what God has provided you (do you trust Him with it or are you trusting yourself… are the worries of the world motivating your actions)- job, relationship, health (Are you only thankful for your breath, after you have struggle to breathe?)… whatever situation/circumstance you are in… do for the glory of God… work unto Him (Col 3:23)

Our trust, our satisfaction is only tested with what God gives us but also with what God keeps from us.

Moving on to chapter 21, we’ll see a desire arise in Ahab that leads to evil consequences.

God withholds (withheld the vineyard) 21:1-26

Ahab desired something not his (Veruca Salt v. 4 vexed & sullen) 1-6

Num 36:7 - inheritance was meant to be kept

Numbers 36:7 ESV

7 The inheritance of the people of Israel shall not be transferred from one tribe to another, for every one of the people of Israel shall hold on to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.

Ahab abandoned the ways of Yahweh for the ways of darkness (Satan) 7-16

We must not allow Satan to fill the void, or satisfy our appetites… we must trust God that we have all that we need and He is all we need...

Wolf trap illustration

So consider these truths when you desire something that is forbidden...

Gal 2:20

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Cor 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ahab not being clueless of Jezebel’s scheming is as expected judged accordingly by God...

God condemns and forgives (21.17-29)

Ahab is judged for his actions with the vineyard (READ 17-24)

Ahab’s fulillment - 1 Kings 22:38

His son, Joram - 2 Kings 9:25-26

Jezebel - 2 Kings 9:36

The rest of Ahab’s descendants - 2 Kings 10

Though a severe judgment has been passed… pay attention to what happens next...

Ahab is spared for his actions (READ 25-29)

How is that possible? God’s grace!

Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more Rom 5:20

So, where we may struggle to trust God as we ought to, when we fail we can trust Him to deal with us mercifully..

Consider Luke 18:9-14… the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector

Luke 18:9–14 ESV

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Pharisee compared his sins to other sins… exalted his righteous deeds

The tax collector cared not about the sins of others… trusted not in his works or lack of sins… trusted solely the mercy of God

Remember, Rom 8:32...

Romans 8:32 ESV

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

God has already done the necessary thing for you… everything else is extra… not necessary, not needed… gifts of generosity… gifts of grace...

So, you may not be a king… you may be not be successful… you may not be healthy… you may not be popular… but if you believe in the Son of God, you are forgiven.

So, ask yourself… are you satisfied? Are you content with God? Do you trust God with all things? Not only before the blessing but after the blessing?

If not, why not? What do you have to gain? What do you have to lose? If you believe... you are saved. You have eternity, you have everything, trust Him… He’s a good and holy God.