Week 18 Day 7
Even the great Elijah
ran away
to hide
quit
to put an end to it all
In his hungry isolation
he was fed
strengthened
renewed
and brought back
Elijah alternated between powerful encounters with the king
and bouts of depression
A rhythm of triumph and suffering.
We call it grace and it goes with God
We don't earn it
or deserve it
We live in a world where
there's no such thing as a free lunch
we reap what we sow
we applaud when someone gets their due
How then do we understand
God's love
mercy
forgiveness
God loves to love us
Amazing grace - its God's gift to you
accept it
with gratitude.
AHAB HUMBLED HIMSELF!
God is merciful, even to the worst of sinners.
I Kings 21
1Naboth had a vineyard in Jezreel, next to the palace of
Ahab. 2So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your
vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it
is next to my house; for it I will give you a vineyard better than
it. Or, I will give you its worth in money." 3But Naboth said,
"The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my
fathers to you!"
4So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased. He lay
down on his bed, turned away his face, and would eat no food.
7Then Jezebel his wife said, "You exercise authority over
Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will
give you the vineyard of Naboth." 8So she wrote letters in
Ahab's name, sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to
the elders and nobles in the city. 9She wrote, "Proclaim a fast,
and seat Naboth with high honor among the people. 10Seat
two scoundrels before him to bear witness against him, saying,
'You have blasphemed God and the king.' Then take him out,
and stone him, that he may die."
15When Jezebel heard that Naboth was dead, she said to
Ahab, "Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth."
17Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah, 18"Arise, go
to meet Ahab. He is in the vineyard of Naboth. 19Speak to
him, saying, 'Thus says the Lord: "Have you murdered and
also taken possession? In the place where dogs licked the
blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours."'"
20Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, my enemy?"
He answered, "Because you have sold yourself to do evil:
21'Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will make your
house like the house of Jeroboam. 24The dogs shall eat
whoever belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, and the birds
of the air shall eat whoever dies in the field.'"
25There was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do
wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife
stirred him up.
27When Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes
and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.
28And the word of the Lord came to Elijah, saying, 29"See
how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has,
I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his
son I will bring the calamity on his house."
This Bible passage was condensed from the NKJV
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