Overcoming Satanic Intimidation I

Monday 6 July
READ: 1 Kings 20:1-13
MORE LESSON: Isa. 8: 12 - 13

Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, joined forces with thirty two other kings and besieged Israel. He sent a very intimidating message to King Ahab of Israel. He told him he was coming to take the best things in his land; his choice gold, the wives and children. Ahab was frightened and replied that Ben-Haded could take as much as he wanted, but should not kill the people. When Ben-hadad received the reply, he sent another message that he was not going to take anything he (BenHaded) liked but anything King Ahab liked. Yet I will send my servants unto thee tomorrow about this time, and they shall search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, THAT WHATSOEVER IS PLEASANT IN THINE EYES, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away: 1 Kgs 20:6. That is sheer intimidation! He just wanted to terrorize Israel. He would take all the things they liked even if he didn't need them and leave only all that Israel didn't like.
Ahab started screaming and fretting, and must have exclaimed: “This man wants to kill me; he is just looking for opportunity to come and fight me!'' Ahab then called for a council meeting with the elders of the land and told them what Ben-haded wanted and how he was afraid he would have to consent to avoid trouble. Thank God for good counsel from the wonderful elders, who told him to stop being afraid and not to consent to the intimidation of the enemy. They encouraged him that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would defend them against Ben-hadad and the 32 nations that teamed up against them.
When the messengers got back to Ben-hadad and told him that the king of Israel refused to succumb to his threat, he was furious.
He sent another message to Ahab threatening to turn the whole the nation of Israel to dust. But God sent a message to the king of Israel saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it in to thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: 1 Kings 20:13.
Today, I have brought you a word from the Lord: do not succumb to the intimidation of the devil and evil men. Do not consent to their demands for you to submit to them in fear. The Lord will rise for you to the dismay of the enemy.
So reply them that you will not bow nor agree to those terms of surrender that they gave to disgrace you and your God. Never submit to their intimidation! When they pronounce that you will never be married except you perform certain ancentral sacrifices, say, ‘No’. When a man insists that except he goes to bed with you he will not promote you or that you will fail an exam, do not succumb. When you are told to choose between your work and an evil act, refuse evil. It is a satanic intimidation. Remember, righteousness alone exalts.

Prayer/Action
* Ask God for grace to say, ‘NO’ to every form of evil enticement.
* Pray that by the grace of God, when it matters most, you will not disappoint God.
* Pray that in the days of battle, your strength will not be small.
* Ask Jehovah to take over your battles, from today.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Forces of delay, depression, disappointment and hopelessness, I command youtoloose your hold on my destiny. Joy, peace, and victory come and take over, in Jesus’ name.