Who Will Begin?

In 1 Kings 20:13-15, God made a promise to King Ahab through one of the prophets. The Aramean army was massive, yet God promised to deliver them into Ahab’s hand as proof that He truly is God. Rather than accepting the promise with gratitude, Ahab immediately began asking for details about exactly how God planned to accomplish this great feat. God said He would defeat the Arameans with the young men of the rulers of the provinces, two hundred and thirty-two men. Ahab then had one more important question: “Who shall begin the battle?” To which the Lord replied, “You.” God brought victory to Israel as promised, but Ahab was the one required to begin the battle. God uses people to accomplish His will. Today, there are good works He has planned, and many of them depend on you to begin.

The word “begin” in 1 Kings 20:14 also could be understood as “bind.” Someone had to make the arrangements and call out the orders. Someone had to take charge and make the wheels move. Ahab was that someone. Ahab was required to muster the people and go out to war against an overwhelming horde of enemies.

Today, God does not speak through prophets as He did to Ahab, but He has spoken to all people concerning His plans and their part in them. Ephesians 2:10 says concerning Christians, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” God has prepared good works for every Christian and has created them in Christ for the purpose of doing them. When Christians look around and wonder, “Who will begin the spiritual battle?” The answer is most emphatically, “You.” You must fight; you must win through Jesus Christ against the powers of darkness and the sins that tempt you. So, get your armor on and sharpen your sword; the battle is upon you whether you are ready or not (Eph. 6:10-17).