February 19, 2025

Passage Read: 1 Kings 18-21
Meditation Verses: 21:25-29

Thought

The Lord is determined to reward those who humble themselves before Him. He wants to forgive, not destroy men. And He gives even the vilest of men grace when he humbles himself, as a sign to all men that He grants mercy to those who fear Him. If only men everywhere would recognize that salvation is so close, if only they would repent, they would find favor, forgiveness and life.

Application

This is amazing to me. It makes sense, but seems so unfair. That the worst of sinners could receive mercy from the Lord. Scripture records Ahab as the worst of men, and the Lord swears to destroy all who belong to him, but at a little humbling, God says, "Look at Ahab!" And swears to delay His judgment until the next generation. Ahab hasn't repented, he hasn't changed and believed and been saved. He just humbled himself a little. He's mourning over this sentence of death. But it is a step in the right direction, and God wants to encourage more. He wants to encourage others to go the full distance. If Ahab can find a little grace with God, then others like him who go all the way can find salvation. God warned him of terrible judgment, and he humbled himself. It takes a warning, but the goal is always repentance of the one warned, not fulfilling promises of destruction. Proclaiming judgment is in hope, seeking the repentance of the one warned, not cutting them off in hatred. Not all will repent, but my desire and hope needs to be their repentance.