Humility Postpones Disaster
1 Kings 21:29 (NIV)
“…Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day…” 1 Kings 21:29 (NIV)
Have you ever heard of someone ‘boiling down to low gravy’? Let’s take a few minutes to examine how this happened in Biblical times.
As recorded in the book of 1 Kings 21, Ahab was king of Israel. He was a man with power and authority, but he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He abused his power, with the aid of his wife Jezebel, to take land that didn’t belong to him. The land belonged to Naboth’s family (1 Kings 21:3-4), but Ahab’s covetousness had no limit. Soon, the plot was set and executed to murder Naboth in order to take possession of his land. What a terrible thing!
Surely, the Lord God Almighty was going to deal with these ‘powerhouses’ for their wilful sin (1 Kings 21:17-26). Disaster was set for Ahab (and Jezebel, his wife) as a consequence of their evil doing. When Ahad heard the words of the Lord through the prophet, the words of judgement, disaster, and death, his whole demeanour changed. Ahab tore his clothes, began fasting, and went around meekly and subdued (1 Kings 21:20-27). Powerful Ahab had encountered the all-powerful God. What posture is fitting when one comes face to face with real power?
Even though Ahab sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord (urged on by Jezebel, his wife), he remembered how to humble himself. The Lord God Almighty took notice of Ahab’s humility and said because Ahab humbled himself, He would not bring disaster in his lifetime, but it would happen in the days of his sons (1 Kings 21:29). Surely the Lord gave grace (favour undeserved) to the humble. The disaster was postponed.
Daily, Almighty God superintends over the affairs of mankind. He sees the good and the evil, the pompous and the lowly. Surely, He will deal with each person accordingly in His time. For this cause, let us develop and maintain a posture of humility, for surely it opens God’s avenue for us to receive favour we don’t deserve and even postpone judgement or disaster. Ahab humbled himself and postponed disaster; imagine what a constant life of humility would do.
Prayer
Dear God, I have not always maintained a posture of humility as You require of me, and by so doing, I have opened doors of disaster and judgement on myself and my family. Please forgive me. Wash me in the blood of Jesus. Transform my life into one of humility, and spare my life and family the judgement and disaster we had deserved. May we always be humble before You so that we may receive Your grace. In Jesus’ name, with thanksgiving, Amen.
Read: 1 Peter 5:5-6; James 4:6
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 16:28-33; Proverbs 17:1-4; Acts 28:17-31; 2 Kings 21; 2 Kings 22
