Fasting Devotion Day 8
READ
“And he behaved very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.
(God said) “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.”” I Kings 21:26-27, 29 NKJV
THINK
The power of humility can never be overstated! There is example after example of the graciousness of our God in the face of those who humble themselves His site. There may not be stories anymore outrageous than that of Ahab humbling himself in the sight of God. He was an absolutely terrible king who led so many in Israel to destruction yet even in the midst of his isn his willingness to lower himself before the Lord was received by a gracious and forgiving God. At Ignite we have always embrace the concept that the church is a place for the broken seeking healing and as we move forward into our new space we must constantly remind ourselves that our Lord receives the humble and broken and we must be and example of that! This story is a reminder that we are never too far from God to run towards him and be forgiven. We need a God that is quick to forgive and who suffers long patiently towards us.
1. Do you believe that someone like Ahab should have received the grace that God extended to him? When is someone too far to receive grace and forgiveness?
2. If your eternity was based on your humility before God and others where would you stand today? What’s at least one thing you can do to humble yourself this week?
PRAY
Today I want to beg all of us at Ignite to humble ourselves and pray that the Lord would bring the broken into our midst. This is a dangerous prayer because the broken bring brokenness that will offend our sensibilities. We must remember that this church is His and not ours!
“And he behaved very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.
(God said) “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.”” I Kings 21:26-27, 29 NKJV
THINK
The power of humility can never be overstated! There is example after example of the graciousness of our God in the face of those who humble themselves His site. There may not be stories anymore outrageous than that of Ahab humbling himself in the sight of God. He was an absolutely terrible king who led so many in Israel to destruction yet even in the midst of his isn his willingness to lower himself before the Lord was received by a gracious and forgiving God. At Ignite we have always embrace the concept that the church is a place for the broken seeking healing and as we move forward into our new space we must constantly remind ourselves that our Lord receives the humble and broken and we must be and example of that! This story is a reminder that we are never too far from God to run towards him and be forgiven. We need a God that is quick to forgive and who suffers long patiently towards us.
1. Do you believe that someone like Ahab should have received the grace that God extended to him? When is someone too far to receive grace and forgiveness?
2. If your eternity was based on your humility before God and others where would you stand today? What’s at least one thing you can do to humble yourself this week?
PRAY
Today I want to beg all of us at Ignite to humble ourselves and pray that the Lord would bring the broken into our midst. This is a dangerous prayer because the broken bring brokenness that will offend our sensibilities. We must remember that this church is His and not ours!