Humbled

I Kings 21:29

"Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will bring disaster upon his house."

Ahab was exceedingly wicked. "There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted abominably in going after evil."  Yet, in spite of his past acts, God saw him when he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth, fasting and going about dejectedly. God saw in him a humbled heart and was responsive to his actions by postponing the judgment that was coming to him. What a merciful God! If He could show Ahab mercy, then He can be merciful to anyone who is humble before Him. Also, it is amazing that Ahab could be humbled. I would think that a man as wicked as this would be beyond humbling, but the ways of God are not the ways of man.

This story brings to mind the fact that God looks on the heart but man looks on the outward appearance. To the human eye, Ahab's actions of repenting would probably be considered a ruse, but God knew better. Also men would consider Ahab a lost cause and not even consider him as a candidate for a changed life, but God knew better again. The warning for me is not to make judgements that only God can make, and to realize that no one is excluded from God's mercy.  

Father,

Keep my heart and spirit as merciful as Yours. Teach me to reach out to those whose needs are beyond human redemption, but not beyond Your redemption.

In Jesus name,

Amen