Humility

 Happy Sunday!

"When Ahab heard these prophecies, he tore his clothing, put on rags, fasted, slept in sackcloth, and went about in deep humility. Then another message came to Elijah: “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done this, I will not do what I promised during his lifetime; it will happen to his sons; I will destroy his descendants.”(1 Kings 21:27-29 Living Bible).

Ahab was a BAD dude!  Not like Michael Jackson "Bad", but really bad.  He encouraged the people to worship idols and even had a man falsely convicted and killed, all in order to get the man's vineyard.  If you are not familiar with him you've probably heard about his wife, Jezebel!  God used the Prophet Elijah repeatedly to rebuke and warn Ahab.  So much so that Ahab hated Elijah and would have killed him too, if he could have. 

“Yes,” Elijah answered, “I have come to place God’s curse upon you because you have sold yourself to the devil. The Lord is going to bring great harm to you and sweep you away; he will not let a single one of your male descendants survive!  He is going to destroy your family as he did the family of King Jeroboam and the family of King Baasha, for you have made him very angry and have led all of Israel into SIN. The Lord has also told me that the dogs of Jezreel shall tear apart the body of your wife, Jezebel.  The members of your family who die in the city shall be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the country shall be eaten by vultures.”(1 Kings 21:20-24 Living Bible).

After hearing this Ahab did something totally out of character, he repented and humbled himself.  Before Elijah could get home, God told him to turn around and tell Ahab that all the bad stuff wouldn't happen in his lifetime because he humbled himself.  Jesus said, "If you walk around all high and mighty, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become MORE than yourself.”(Luke 14:11 Message).  God was merciful to Ahab.  He gave Ahab much better treatment than he deserved.  He does the SAME for us.   When asked how she was doing a co-worker of mine said, "Better than I deserve!"  I said, "Isn't it wonderful that we don't get what we deserve?  We get what Jesus paid for!"  The Prophet Jeremiah echoes this, "The reason I can still find HOPE is that I keep this one thing in mind: the Lord’s MERCY.  We were not completely wiped out.  His compassion is never limited.  It is NEW every morning. His faithfulness is great."(Lamentations 3:21-23 GW).

Jesus said, "The thief comes ONLY in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may HAVE and ENJOY life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."(John 10:10 Amplified).  The Apostle Peter preached, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about DOING GOOD, and HEALING all that were Oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."(Acts 10:38 KJV).  The devil is behind all sickness, destruction, and poverty!  Jesus came to rescue us, and set us free from the enemy's strategies.  Will we humble ourselves, admit we need help, and let Jesus free us?  Selah.

Love and prayers, Cynthia