Random Arrows

“Being good is so much harder than being bad.” This is a comment Eli made while playing a video game. Even though it was a video game, it got me wondering about how hard it is to do the best thing.  Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wanted to do things your own way, even if it wasn’t the right way, because doing it your way is so much easier…even if it’s not the best? 

Well, in 1 Kings 22 we find such a story. The king of Israel, King Ahab, wanted to go to war against the city of Ramoth Gilead to take back what was his. And he wasn’t singing that old worship song, “I went to the enemies camp and I took back what he stole from me” either. He was actually falling into the hands of the enemy. 

Following Jehoshaphat’s advice to seek Godly counsel before going to war, King Ahab sent for his 400 “prophets.” That’s like going on Facebook and asking for advice! Don’t do that. These 400 men only told the king what he wanted to hear. He wanted to go to war, so they told him to do it. Easy-peezy right?  

Here’s a funny twist to the story though: knowing the reputation of the great prophet Micaiah, King Ahab calls for him as well. Micaiah wasn’t like the other prophets in that, he only told the true things of God - things King Ahab did not want to hear. Deep down in his gut, King Ahab knew there was something pure and right about this one prophet versus his other 400 “prophets.” 

King Ahab says to Micaiah, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” Even though, this is exactly what Micaiah had always done. So, Micaiah proceeds to reveal the vision God had given him, that King Ahab would indeed go to his death in Ramoth Gilead. Does King Ahab listen to this prophet of God? Nope, he decided being good was too hard and goes up to the city to fight his own plan. Verse 34 tells us King Ahab’s fate, “but someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor.” A few verses later we see the king wounded, watching the fight as he is propped up in his chariot. He was left suffering unto death, because of a random arrow. 

Even though the king was confident, well-planned and dressed for battle, a random arrow still penetrated his heart. We can’t let this be us. Let’s not let the lies of the enemy be louder than the truth of our God. You never know when a random arrow could strike. Random arrows are the random thoughts, random feelings, or random directions (that come from asking 400 people for advice) that penetrate our hearts. Random arrows can be joy stealers and spirit crushers, leaving us to be wounded watchers instead of active faith fighters. Not every thought, feeling, or piece of advice deserves our attention. Take those arrows captive and make them obedient to Christ! Stay focused on being your best, even if it’s hard.