Be mocked or be given grace?

This is so exciting for me to share because it is new and fresh for me.

I am reading through the old testament right now.So, here is the setting and where we are at in the Bible.

I Kings 21-Ahab is King.Jezebel is Ahab's wife-the Queen. Elijah is around prophesying. And there is the guy names Naboth that had something the King wanted, but wouldn't give up.

Ahab wanted to trade with Naboth some land close to the Palace. Naboth had a vineyard near the palace.King Ahab was willing to give Naboth a better vineyard somewhere else OR just pay the guy for it. Naboth refused.

So,King Ahab throws himself a pity party and just sulks for a little while. Then, his wife Jezebel pretty much tells him to suck it up! After all, He is the King for crying out loud! Jezebel tells her hubby that she will "take care of it"...

Long story short, Jezebel schemes her way into having Naboth killed (the guy who owned the vineyard). Jezebel tells her husband that Naboth is dead. King Ahab went and got his vineyard. Problem solved.

Then, Elijah comes on the scene!
I Kings 21:20 "Ahab said to Elijah, 'So you have found me, my enemy!'".
Elijah: "I have found you, he answered, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. I am going to being disaster on you. I will consume your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last make in Israel-slave or free.23-And concerning Jezebel the Lord says: Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country".

Now-imagine this...
27-When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.

28 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: 29" Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day...

WOW! This amazes me! Ahab did evil in the eyes of the Lord.He was the villian. The bad guy.He was arch enemies with Elijah-a big wig in the Bible! Sure, I understand how God forgave David-being a "man after God's own heart". But Ahab??

Then, I realized the key point that changed God's mind.-humility.Ahab humbled himself.

Why does God favor humility so much? Why would he turn his wrath way from Ahab simply because he humbled himself?

1. God wants humility from us. Proverbs 3:34 " He mocks proud mockers, but gives grace to the humble. God shows grace when we realize who we are and who HE is. He knows that we want to be our own boss. We want to get credit. We want to act like we have it all together. Watch out! God will mock you! When, we realize that we are absolutely NOTHING without God, we realize that our lives are in the hands of God. He chooses each day we live. We really have no choice but to be humble when we think about it that way.

2. Satan fell because he wanted to be God. If a "used-to-be" angel struggled with pride, you bet we are going to struggle as well. God knows we are human. That is why He gave us His Word. That's why he gave us His Son-to show us the true form of Humility.

What or how could we be used more by God if we just humbled ourselves daily? What heartache would be spared? How much more grace would be shown to us?

Here are some verses put in prayer form to help us humble ourselves daily.
2 Chron 7:14 God, if your people , who are called by Your name, will humble themselves and pray and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, then will You hear from heaven and will forgive our sin and will heal our land.

Psalm 25:9 God, You guide the humble in what is right and teach us Your way.


Zep 2:3 I want to seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord's anger.

Ephesians 4:2 God I want to be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:6 But YOU gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."...THANK YOU!!!