I planned to enjoy spring break 2025 with a fun mini vacation with great food, read a couple of books by a pool and maybe have a mimosa. Instead, the straw of a broken bathroom sink part and kitchen disposal afforded me a trip to the backyard to look at the weeds because the lawn guy doesn’t restart service until next week. I chose to fast and process several things going on (and not going on) during this time. As I was worshipping to the song Promises by Maverick City Music, I focused on these words:

God’s word doesn’t return void! I just don’t quiet myself enough to hear it. Good or bad, I try to plan what I think He’s going to say. Good in wanting Him to say/do what I want, bad in assuming He won’t bless me. This week I chose to focus on His word; not my voice or even the voices of others around me. I was drawn to 1st Kings 22 and the story of King Ahab, King of Israel. He wanted to fight against Syria and reclaim Ramoth-gilead and asked King Jehoshaphat, King of Judah to join him. Ahab made a plan and asked 400 prophets if he should go out to battle. 400! They all gave him a favorable answer that the Lord would give it into his hands. Seems like all should be a go, but they inquired of 1 prophet who stood alone, Micaiah who spoke the true word of God, not flattery to make Ahab feel good. Micaiah prophesied that Ahab would die that day in battle. Ahab’s intentions aren’t described, but the text describes his plans of being in disguise while having Jehoshaphat wear his kingly robes. In spite of that, a bow “drawn at random” struck Ahab in between the scale armor and breastplate. I’m guessing only Hawkeye from the Avengers could hit that on purpose, yet in ancient Israel it happened “at random”.

Though this was a scene of judgement (“And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him.” 1 Kings 16:30), God’s word came to pass despite Ahab trying to flee from it. Yes, God is a God of justice, but He’s also a God of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and faithfulness. When Jonah fled to Tarshish instead of going to Ninevah as instructed, God came to Jonah a second time….after some time in the belly of the whale to think/repent. He’s the God of the impossible, not of what seems possible, manageable, convenient or makes sense in our eyes. He’s the God who provides, heals, and saves. God still does miracles today of life change, healing, restoration and so much more.

In January during my New Year mini vacation (where I did eat good food and read a book), I journaled to reflect on 2024 and open my heart to His plans of 2025. The word He gave me was possible. I felt convicted and challenged to believe that God can do all things (Mark 10:27), and to believe that though my righteousness is given from Christ, God won’t forget my faithfulness and obedience. He longs to show compassion to me and rejoice over me with gladness (Zephaniah 3:17) for God sees and hears me. Just as an arrow struck Ahab at random, His blessings can be as accurate as I trust Him that His words will come to pass. I’m listening for the soft whisper of God’s voice to hear His truths and waiting to see how He chooses to answer my prayers. They seem impossible, but He’s the God who defeated death; nothing is more impossible than that.