I Kings 20  When 33 kings, including Ben -hadad of Aram came against Israel, Ahab willingly submitted.  He was outnumbered and he knew it.  But when they demanded to ransack every house in the city, the elders urged Ahab to stand against them.

God sent a prophet to Ahab, this notorious, idolatrous , evil king, and said, " Behold I will deliver them into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the Lord."  Remarkably, Ahab believed!
Sending out a small army as God directed, Israel won !  The enemies were slaughtered and the king ran away.  The Lord then warned Ahab that Ben-hadad would come back, so Ahab prepared.  Once again, the Lord gave them victory.  But, there was one problem.  Ahab spared Ben-hadad.

Once again a prophet was sent, " Thus says the Lord, 'Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.'"   Ahab went home "sullen and vexed".

God's plans and purposes sometimes are surprising.  Here is another chance for Ahab to turn to God, to know Him, and to trust in Him alone.  But, even now, Ahab thinks he knows better and fails to obey.

Truth - If we fully trust God, we will fully obey Him.  And then we will know, really know that He is the LORD!

Father in heaven,  thank You for giving us second and third and many more chances, to listen and obey Your voice.  Thank You for giving us victories over the enemy, even when we don't deserve it or when we are overwhelmed by them.   Great are You Lord and highly to be praised. All that we are and all that we have comes from You.. our every breath, our every heartbeat, is in Your Hands.  We ask You, our provider for daily bread, for all we need comes from You.  We need steadfast hearts, committed lives, and devoted lives.... draw us nearer and nearer to Yourself we pray. Amen.