I saw something in the news that’s hilarious and tragic at the same time. In a pop concert, a middle-aged couple hugging each other suddenly under a huge spotlight roaming at random among the audience. The problem was they were husband and wife; he is somebody else’s husband, and she is somebody else’s wife! Simply put they were cheating on their spouses. To make matters worse, the show was being broadcast to the public. It’s hilarious because the moment they realized that the spotlight was on them, out of reflex, the man let go of his embrace and ducked, and the woman turned her body and covered her face. It’s too late; they’re caught. When I saw that, I couldn’t help but think about their spouses and children, if they have any. Oh, the humiliation and the devastation!
What also came to mind was King Ahab. In the Book of I Kings 22, we can read the story of King Ahab’s asking King Jehosaphat of the Southern Kingdom to take back Ramoth in Gilead from the king of Syria. Being a godly man, King Jehosaphat requested King Ahab to first consult with a prophet of God. Being an ungodly man, King Ahab called in, not one, but four hundred prophets—four hundred false prophets, that is! Like a choir, they all gave their blessings. Knowing in his spirit that these men did not speak for God, King Jehosaphat asked for another prophet, a true prophet. Micaiah was called in, and like a bombshell, he dropped the Word of the Lord on King Ahab, “The Lord has declared disaster against you.”
Out of fear, King Ahab went into the battle disguising himself as a soldier. He thought he’d be safe, but he thought wrong. “Now a certain man drew a bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor.” Ahab died. Just like that cheating couple, Ahab was also under God’s spotlight. Just like that cheating couple, Ahab thought no one knew. No one knew, but God knew.
Pastor Paul