SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 18
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what my God says.” [2 Chronicles 18:13]
But Micaiah replied, “If you return safely, it will mean that the Lord has not spoken through me!” Then he added to those standing around, “Everyone mark my words!” [2 Chronicles 18:27]
The 400 prophets of Ahab only said what the king wanted them to say; Micaiah only said what God told him to say.
Ahab did not want to hear the truth, he wanted a message that favoured him.
He refused to listen to anyone or anything that spoke against him.
But he was also a pragmatist; just in case he goes into the battle in disguise, to increase his chances of survival.
But Micaiah’s message is God’s message, whether Ahab likes it, listens to it or not.
“Everyone mark my words!”

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” [John 8:28-29]
Jesus speaks in the spirit of Micaiah, only saying God tells Him to say, even if people don’t like to hear it.
And He adds His own “mark my words” – you will understand WHEN you hang me on the cross!
King Ahab only did what pleased himself; Micaiah and Jesus did what God asked of them, even if it led to rejection, imprisonment or death.

You can’t avoid God’s truth; you can’t defy God and live to tell about it.
Maybe short term you can, but in the end you will suffer defeat – “mark my words”.
I love the part of Ahab going into battle in disguise while Jehoshaphat goes into battle like a target… and Ahab gets hit by a random (?) arrow, and it somehow happens to find an opening in the armour.
This passage makes it clear who is in control; we have two scenes of throne rooms – Ahab and Jehoshaphat and the prophets [2 Chronicles 18:9] and God and the angelic hosts [2 Chronicles 18:18-19].
The message is this, we can scheme and plot and manipulate fate, but we cannot defy God and succeed.
In the end His purpose will stand, and all those who refuse or reject God will experience it!

The challenge for me is whether I will be like Jesus and Micaiah, prepared to speak and live for truth, whether it is easy or pleasing or not, whether it makes me popular or not.
This is what it all comes down to in the end, what Robin Mark sings about in this song by Don Moen:
When it’s all been said and done, there is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth? Did I live my life for you?
When it’s all been said and done, All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I have done For love’s rewards Will stand the test of time

PRAYER:
Lord, when its all been said and done, Who am I listening to? Who am I living for? What am I living for?