READING: 1 Kings 20:23-22:9, 2 Chronicles 18:1-8
The reaction would probably seem quite silly to many of us, were it not for the truth that many of us also lean in the same direction sometimes. King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vegetable garden, but Naboth could not give it to him according to Israelite law. Naboth stood his ground, but the king retreated to his bed in selfish immaturity: “He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and didn’t eat any food” ( 1 Kgs 21:4). It’s actually quite amazing and alarming how strong the emotions and lures of selfish desire are—and here they reduced the king to smallness. Ahab was wicked indeed.
Later, though, his response was a bit different when the prophet Elijah confronted him and announced God’s coming judgment on the house of Ahab. This time, the king expressed his grief in dramatic fashion: “he tore his clothes, put sackcloth over his body, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around subdued” (1 Kgs 21:27). While the rest of the story shows that change of heart was not lasting, it was enough that God delayed His judgment on the house of Ahab.
On one hand, Ahab lay down in selfish, consuming greed; on the other hand, he lay down in what seems to have been genuine remorse over his wrong. It is the latter position that best situates us to be useful in God’s work.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you need to lie in sackcloth for any reason today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, show me my heart as it truly is—and let my repentance be real and lasting.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 22:10-28, 2 Chronicles 18:9-27, 1 Kings 22:29-35, 2 Chronicles 18:28-34, 1 Kings 22:36-40, 51-53; 2 Chronicles 19:1-20:30
