Sold Out For Evil – The Response To True Humility

In the Old Testament, King Ahab is known as one of the most wicked kings which the nation of Israel had.  It is King Ahab who was constantly challenged by the Prophet Elijah, in fact the majority of Elijah’s chapters of recorded ministry are concerned with dealing with Ahab.  Ahab tried to kill all the prophets of God, he established the worship of false Gods, marries the manipulative woman Jezebel, and twice it is mentioned that he sold himself to do evil and wickedness.  (1 Kings 21:20,25).   Ahab sold himself to do evil and wickedness.  It is because of this wickedness that God announces the coming death of Ahab and his wife. (2 Kings 21:21-23)
When Ahab hears the words of coming doom the scriptures says that, “he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.”  Then God says, “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me?  Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days.”(Vs. 27)  Because of true humility, and implied true repentance, God showed mercy on King Ahab,  judgment is postponed beyond the lifespan of Ahab.
There are many people around us that we would think are just as reprobate and wicked in their actions.  There would seem like there is little hope for such people.  Their wickedness is too great.  Perhaps even in our own lives we may feel that we are under the judgment of God.  However, there is great power in in true humility and repentance.  Even the most wicked can receive mercy from God, when there is a changing of heart and  a true humbling of ourselves.
God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)  Choose to sincerely humble yourself before God.  There is true mercy provided if we do so.