How to Handle Defeat

 

    Defeat is a part of life.  No one wins all the time.  No one has all the answers.  We all have to learn how to handle rejection, hurt, losing, and other perceived negatives of life.  

    King Jehoshaphat of Judah became allies with King Ahab of Israel through marriage.  It was the first step toward being an unified nation again in decades.  On paper it looked like a good deal.  A step past frenemies.  

    Israel had all but abandoned God a long time ago, so they only had one prophet of God amongst them and Ahab hated him.  Ahab was one of the worst kings in all of history.  He went to the man of God to ask about going to war and bringing Judah with Israel because King Jehoshaphat insisted.  

    The man of God was Micaiah.  He told Ahab that if he went to war that he would surely die.  Talk about a personal defeat.  Ahab wanted to go to war and make a name for himself, not die.  Ahab was the sulky king, so he is the one to look at not being like when handling defeat.

    God allowed a lying spirit to entice King Ahab in his selfishness.  Ahab threw Micaiah into prison and made plans for war.  King Jehoshaphat did not have a good vibe about the battle, but he didn't want to break the alliance either, so he ignored his own good judgment.

    King Ahab thought he was so smart.  he disguised himself so that he would not be killed in battle and had King Jehoshaphat to go out in his royal robes "to lead away the enemy".  Basically he was trying to sacrifice Jehoshaphat to save himself.  

    The Aramean king was not stupid.  He ordered his men to only attach Ahab because he had no dispute with Jehoshaphat.   However, they went after Jehoshaphat because they thought he was Ahab.

    God would not let anyone harm Jehoshaphat, so He directed them Arameans away from Jehoshaphat and allowed a random bow to pierce Ahab.  The battle raged on all day as Ahab propped himself in his chariot watching while bleeding out.  It must have been horrible to know he would not survive and not have anyone to take care of him.  He finally died as the sun set.

    Ahab was a fool.  He had been warned.  He had no excuse to go into battle and to throw his ally into the line of fire to try to protect himself.  His foolishness got him killed and fulfilled the prophecy of his death.  His defeat was deserved.  Jehoshaphat should have listened to his intuition because that was a gift from God.  He would not have had to endure a near death experience at all if he had.

    We can handle defeat by acceptance and by listening to wisdom.  It will never be pleasant, but it is a part of life.  We have to learn how to turn to God and grow from it.  Be careful who you align your life with to avoid some drama and hardships.  Learn how to hear God's voice above personal desire or anger..

2 Chronicles 18