“When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put
on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite:
“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has
humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it
on his house in the days of his son.”
1 Kings 21:27-29
The Bible is filled with stories of people who loved
God but still
had some serious issues in their lives to deal with.
Kind of like you and me some times.
But our passage today is about a man who was not one
of those who God called a friend (like Moses) or a man after His own heart
(like King David). Ahab was a King of Israel. Unlike David, who heeded the
Prophet Nathan’s words from God, Ahab despised the words brought through the
Prophet Elijah. Some would say he was the most evil king in Israel’s history.
His wife Jezebel pulled the strings in Ahab’s life and she constantly brought
him into idol worship. Yet with all that could be written about Ahab’s
character we have recorded in our verses today evidence of the mercy of God
extended not only to those who walked with Him but particularly to one who went
out of his way to challenge God. You and I should be grateful for this picture
given in scripture as it reinforces for us verse 10 from Romans chapter 5:
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were
reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been
reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
Gods mercy came to rescue me not when I was His friend
but His enemy.
It is sometimes tough to show mercy to those we love
when they have hurt us.
God demonstrates His love and His mercy to His
enemies.
That is the mercy that should be working in us.
Imagine how many will take note of a man or woman who
demonstrates mercy to those who deserve none.
God’s mercy, working through you, will serve to
glorify Him.
Won’t you ask Him today to use you in that way?
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