The Intervening Variable

The Intervening Variable 

I Kings 20:12-14 NKJV

[12] And it happened when Ben-Hadad heard this message, as he and the kings were drinking at the command post, that he said to his servants, “Get ready.” And they got ready to attack the city. [13] Suddenly a prophet approached Ahab king of Israel, saying, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ ” [14] So Ahab said, “By whom?” And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘By the young leaders of the provinces.’ ” Then he said, “Who will set the battle in order?” And he answered, “You.”

In a story, an obstacle is described as an intervening variable. It is what was not intended by the character in action, but whose activities precipitate a consequence.  Ben-Hadad's action moved heaven to respond. V13 says, " suddenly"..Praise God for a change of actions. The devil wont continue forever. Suddenly, God interrupted. Whenever God interupts the flow of the story, it turns in a new direction. The battle is not just yours. There are spiritual players as well. Read v.13 again.

   In a story, the intervening variable could be a person, a spirit or a thing that stops the enemy from accomplshing its purpose. That's what the cross did on Calvary. Someone says that , " Intervening variables intervene between the independent and dependent variables to navigate their relationship". For the more professional readers, " The intervening variable is a control variable that will follow an independent variable, preceding the dependent variable in a causal succession". Now don't ask me to start explaining all that. The main thing is that the intervening variable is a control variable. Without the cross, we could have been meat for the enemy. The cross intervened in your story. Hallelujah!

   That intervening variable leaves us with a Name and power above other names. That is what that Prophet's entrance into the war signified. He began, " Thus says the Lord..". If God intervened for Ahab, He is going to intervene for you. If anyone deserved disgrace, it should have been Ahab, but Israel is God's inheritance. So are you. Today in the Name of Jesus Christ, we activate the intervening variable on your behalf. Let the enemy fall. Let them suffer the disgrace that was meant for you. There's an intervention on your behalf. Phew! Thank you Jesus. 

   For once, even Ahab listened to advice. Who wouldn't? The variable changed the story. That's how yours will change. Good morning.