We SERVE a GOD who is ‘GRACIOUS’ and ‘MERCIFUL’!
April 13 Bible
Reading: 1 Kings Chapters 19-22
We SERVE a GOD who is ‘GRACIOUS’ and ‘MERCIFUL’!
But there was no one like Ahab who
sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his
wife stirred him up. And he behaved very abominably in following idols,
according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the Lord had cast out before
the children of Israel. So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore
his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and
went about mourning. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite,
saying, "See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has
humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the
days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house." (1 Kings 21:25-29)
The initial
two verses in today’s passage sum up what really
troubled Israel. Ahab had sold himself out to evil because he was incited by his
heathen wife Jezebel, and for this reason God would judge Ahab and his
descendants (see vv. 20b-24). Elijah, God’s prophet, pronounced these terrible
judgments upon Ahab, but then Ahab humbled himself and God would not let the calamity happen in Ahab’s lifetime!
One of the
root problems in the home of Ahab and Jezebel was the reversal of God-assigned
roles (Eph. 5:22, 23). Jezebel’s dominant leadership in the home was against
the divine order, as was Ahab’s refusal to assume leadership. The vacillating
nature of Ahab’s character is evident from these passages. He could be easily
led into wickedness by his wife but at times he displayed courage (22:34, 35)
and even humility before God (v. 29). Unfortunately, Ahab never really entered
into a genuine spiritual relationship with God and despised God’s mercies due
to which he would perish eventually (2 Pet. 3:5–10).
This passage
reflects some key character traits of God – He is full of grace and mercy. “‘As
I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but
that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For
why should you die?’” (Ezek. 33:11). Even Ahab’s superficial repentance made
God postpone His judgment towards Ahab! We can also discover the goodness of
God, and God’s readiness to show mercy and grace even to wicked people like
Ahab. Let us also take notice of the goodness
of people even though they may be of the worst possible kind. This may be why the
wicked people prosper around us: God
rewards what little good is in them. It is possible that one day they may
repent and turn back to God.
In the case
of Ahab, he had a complex personality. At times he could respond to divine
rebuke and instruction. Ahab humbled himself before God, not because he felt
the burden of his sins but because he faced the terror of death. God delayed
the execution of the sentence, but it came just the same. Ahab had sold himself
to do evil, and his master—sin—finally paid the wages (Rom. 6:23). So, despite
God’s longsuffering kindness to him, there was little indication of any
spiritual reality in Ahab.
Just like
God was patient with Ahab, He is gracious and merciful to us today. That is why
Jesus is delaying His coming back to this earth even though He had promised us
over 2000 years ago that He was ‘coming
quickly’ (Rev. 22:20). God does not want anyone to perish but that
everyone should enjoy eternal life
through Christ. Let us serve God with reverence
and godly fear for He is a consuming fire as well (Heb. 12:28b-29).
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
