READING: 1 Kings 21-22, John 7:25-52
How we respond to obstacles . . . or difficulties . . . or disappointments . . . or any other negative issue is worth considering. I suspect our responses show the reality of our heart much more than we might like.
That’s certainly the case with King Ahab. In 1 Kings 20 (this past Friday’s reading), his response to God’s judgment announced through a prophet was to be “resentful and angry” (1 Kgs 20:43). In today’s reading, his response to Naboth’s proper refusal to trade or sell his vineyard to the king was again to be “resentful and angry” (1 Kgs 21:4). In fact, he “lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and didn’t eat any food.” Naboth did what was right according to the Law, but Ahab nonetheless sulked like an immature child when he did not get his way.
We read that story, and it’s easy to see the problem in Ahab’s response. When we live out such a situation, though—that is, when we don’t get our way—we’re not always so self-aware that we recognize our own sinfulness. We need others in our lives who help us see our heart (as opposed to Jezebel’s choice to help Ahab get his way)!
PRAYER: “God, give me others who help me see my heart when I can’t see it.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: If you don’t always get your way today, choose a godly response to the situation.
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 1-3, John 7:53-8:30
