God wants to provide.

We’ve been looking at king Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, for a couple weeks now.  He ruled in the north (Israel) and has done more evil than any of the kings before him.

About that time King Ben-hadad of Aram mobilized his army, supported by the chariots and horses of thirty-two allied kings. They went to besiege Samaria, the capital of Israel, and launched attacks against it. Ben-hadad sent messengers into the city to relay this message to King Ahab of Israel: "This is what Ben-hadad says: 'Your silver and gold are mine, and so are your wives and the best of your children!'" (1 Kings 20:1-3 NLT)

Ahab had a big decision to make.  Ben-hadad had not just mobilized his people.  He had built a coalition of 32 kings from the area.  His army was big and powerful.  Ahab’s Israelites did not match them in numbers or strength.

The king of Israel sent back this answer: "A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won." Ahab's reply reached Ben-hadad and the other kings as they were drinking in their tents. "Prepare to attack!" Ben-hadad commanded his officers. So they prepared to attack the city. (1 Kings 20:11-12 NLT)

Ahab did what kings do.  He took a stand to protect his people.  This stand, however, could cost them all their lives.  He didn’t take the time to check with the LORD.  He was hardly even on speaking terms with the LORD.  Most of his reign was spent following the false god, Baal.  Now, he could really benefit from help from the One True God.

Then a certain prophet came to see King Ahab of Israel and told him, "This is what the LORD says: Do you see all these enemy forces? Today I will hand them all over to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD." (1 Kings 20:13 NLT)

This is a good reminder to us all about the goodness and grace of God.  Even when Ahab was far, far away, the LORD still wanted to help him and the people of Israel.  God wants to provide.  God wants to bless us.  God wants to walk with us even when we have not been walking with Him.

How about you?  Have you been walking with God or straying away from Him?  Do you see God reaching out to you whether you asked for help or not?  Do you see that God wants to provide?