busy here and there

God had given Israel a great victory! 127,000 Syrians died in one day. King Ben-Hadad brought his army to fight against Israel twice, and God gave Israel victory both times.

Yet, King Ahab made a peace treaty with King Ben-Hadad and let him go. He failed to accomplish the task God had given him, and soon the king of Syria would attack Israel again.

God sent a prophet to Ahab with a parable. The prophet said in the middle of a battle, he was told, "Guard this man," but while he was "busy here and there," the man got away.

The rebuke from God to Ahab is a sobering warning. We are entrusted to "guard" many things. God's Word tells us to keep (guard) our hearts (affections, desires), our tongues, God's commandments, and His ways. This requires attention and diligence in our prayer life, Bible reading, and church attendance. How easy it is to become "busy here and there" with the cares and pleasures of life and lose focus of what is most important. We are in a spiritual battle and must keep careful guard over our souls. Beware of the distraction of busyness.

No other activities will substitute in God's sight for our failure to do the work He has called us to do.