2 Chronicles Chapter 35: Verses 21-22 (NLT)
But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: “What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”
But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo.
Egypt was normally seen as an enemy of Israel and Judah so it seems likely that Josiah made that assumption when he set out to go to war with Pharaoh Neco. But at this time God was using Neco, and Neco tried to tell Josiah this. Unfortunately, Josiah wouldn’t listen and pressed on regardless, to his ultimate cost. Perhaps because he didn’t expect God to speak through or use the Pharaoh.
God will use many means to speak to us. Sometimes its through ways or people that we would never expect Him to. We need to be careful to recognise the hand and presence of God in such circumstances, and never dismiss them. I have personally experienced this and am grateful that I acted on what was said. God uses all sorts of ways to get our attention, but we need to ensure that we take note and act on it.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful that You will do whatever You need and through whoever You choose to get my attention. Help me never to dismiss Your direction and instructions, even if they come from an unexpected, or even what seems to me, an unlikely source. Help me to remember that You are God and we are all instruments in Your hands. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.