No One Stands Alone

Scripture: But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?” The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” 2 Chronicles 18:27

Observation: Micaiah is mentioned - to my knowledge - just in two passages that are effectively identical, 2 Chronicles 18 and 2 Kings 22. His account is in the midst of the Elijah narrative. After this event, Elijah will turn his mission over to Elisha. Before this event, Elijah has fled to the wilderness. It is in that account that Elijah declared he was alone as a prophet of the Lord ... the only one left, whom Ahab wanted to kill.

Yet here is Micaiah, clearly a prophet of the Lord, whom Ahab knows and hates. He is going to accurately prophesy Ahab's death in battle, as a prophet who has not only received a heavenly word, but a very detailed revelation about why the other 'prophets' are false in their predictions. Ahab knows and hates him, due to his accurate Godly prophesy. He was not invited to speak to Ahab until Jehoshaphat inquires about finding a true prophet of the Lord ... he was persona non grata, and will now be thrown in prison.

In other words, Elijah was never alone. Micaiah was on the front lines with him all along, standing opposed to Ahab and prophesying accurately his demise due to his evil ways. Ahab hated Elijah, but he hated Micaiah too. They probably both felt alone, standing in contrast to hundreds of false prophets at different times, yet they were never alone. Elijah is more famous to us as the one who stood against Ahab and Jezebel, but it was probably Micaiah whom Ahab recalled as he died.

Application: I feel isolated, especially when I have been away from God's word for a few days. This helps me to know that I am never alone. First, the Lord is always with me, and all I have to do is lean into his love through prayer and meditation on his word. Second, there are other believers out there, even when I don't see them or interact with them ... maybe for days at a time.

I need to thoughts to keep depression at bay these days, and today this helps. I seek strength, and the Lord provides it in the understanding that there are people out there who a just like me. I do not stand alone in any struggle.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for standing with me, both directly as my Lord and God, and by providing brothers and sisters who can always assist. And of course I thank you for Laurie; may her days be lightened and her outlook brightened so she and I can stand together in all matters. Amen.