Grace to the Humble

 

 

Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. 1 Kings 16:30

 

Ahab was an evil King. He worshiped idols and “did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all of the kings of Israel who were before him” (I Kings 16:33).

King Ahab took what he wanted and used whatever means necessary to have his way.

At one point he wanted the vineyard of Nabal, the land of Nabal’s family that was an inheritance from God but Nabal was not willing to sell it, even to the king. His response to King Ahab was, “The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!” (1 Kings 21:3)

The rest of the account is in 1 Kings 21. The King “was sullen and vexed” and wouldn’t even eat because of Nabal’s refusal to sell the vineyard.

The words used in this passage to describe Ahab’s response to not getting what he wanted are, “vexed,” “sullen,” and “displeased.”

What a faithless, spoiled rotten brat!

With some conniving and deceit, Queen Jezebel had charges brought against Nabal that ended in his being stoned to death so Ahab could take the land.

So, we have already been told that King Ahab was evil, obviously his wife was, too. This evil man, and most evil people in general, do not care about others. Not their property, or their families, their feelings, and in this case, not even his life. They want what they want and not to get it leads to frustration and anger.

How many times in life (or in a day) do we become frustrated and angry because we do not get what we want? Though we do not have the power or influence to have people killed (thank God!), we are just as guilty of sin as Ahab.

Frustration and anger are a result of our pride, believing things should always go our way. These are a faithless response to a change in our circumstances or the expectations of others.

Humility is lived out in accepting that when our plans are interrupted, God (apparently) has another plan.  If we trust Him as the all wise, holy, and providential God, we know His will will be better in the long run.

Are you and I willing to accept that God may re-direct us from a plan we make to the one that is ultimately better? Our pride, expressed in sinful frustration and anger (especially toward others), is sin.

God is faithful. He has given us His Word so we can understand His goodness and mercy. When we respond to Him rather than to our circumstances, He will bless our efforts and show us His grace.

Therefore we’re told, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  James 4:6b