By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
1 Kings 21:27-29 "When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” - NIV
King Ahab was on record for giving himself over to evil and sinning against God like no other, spurred on by Jezebel his wife. God’s judgement was imminent. When he learnt about it, Ahab humbled himself before God and put on sack cloth, a sign of humility. God saw it and told prophet Elijah. He postponed the judgment He had purposed to bring to Ahab’s family.
God quickly accepted Ahab for his humility, although he went back to his idolatry. This gives a picture of God’s heart towards the humble and brokenhearted. One condition He gives for our prayers to be acceptable before Him is humility. Before God brings any judgement to any people, He always warns them, and gives them time to repent, acknowledge their shortcomings and recognise Him alone as God. By the time any judgement falls, it is clear the people didn’t respond in humility and repentance.
So much disaster could be avoided if people learnt to be humble before their God. David came to be called a man after God’s heart because of his humility despite the scandals. Jesus taught and demonstrated humility. He calls His followers to the same path of humility. Humility is recognition of our true position in God, and the acknowledgment that without God’s help, we cannot be what He created as to be. We thus obediently and willingly submit to Him. The humble will always touch God’s heart.
Psalm 51:17 "My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Shalom children of God.