| Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 12:24-13:15; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 17:16
“Ahab said to Elijah, ‘So, you have caught me, my enemy.’ He replied, ‘I have caught you because you devoted yourself to do what is evil in the Lord’s sight.'” (I Kings 21:20)
“He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols as the Amorites had, whom the Lord had dispossessed before the Israelites. When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put sackcloth over his body, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around subdued. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: ‘Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? I will not bring the disaster during his lifetime, because he has humbled himself before me. I will bring the disaster on his house during his son’s lifetime.'” (21:25-29)
C’mon, admit it. It’s frustrating serving God sometimes. We can get ourselves all worked up over some evil person “getting it” from God that we are almost disappointed if they repent and are forgiven. “But what about what he did Lord?” “Ain’t you gonna fry him?” King Ahab was the biggest wimp, the sorriest excuse for a man. He pouted like a child and overall didn’t behave much better. He was more evil than any of Israel’s king and was married to the biggest she-devil that has ever existed. To this day her name, Jezebel, is associated with manipulation and evil. I have never heard it used in a good light. So my point is this, if a man like Ahab has the sense to humble himself and repent and for that receives God’s mercy and grace, then how much more so will He do for you? Do you honestly think you are that far gone that you’ve reached the sin level of Ahab? I highly doubt it and even if you have then this should still be good news that there is hope for you.
Bottom line is this – God loves people. Never discount His grace for the most hardened heart. If there is any opportunity for salvation at all, God is going to grant it. The Bible states in II Peter 3:9, God doesn’t want anyone to perish but for all of us to come to repentance. I even bet if Ahab’s son, and his son’s son, and so on and so forth was humble and repentant that God would just continue to defer the disaster. God is actually for the human race. He is not against us. He wants us to succeed, He just wants us to do right.
PRAYER:
Lord, I pray for those who are so lost. I ask You to turn their hearts, I pray for humility to cloak them. I ask You to have great mercy on them and draw them unto Yourself. Forgive Lord, forgive and turn things around. Cause these hardhearted souls to know You and to be transformed by Your love and grace. In the name of Jesus, Amen. |
