June 14~Grace to the Humble

2 Kings 1:1-18


2 Kings 3:1-27


1 Kings 22:41-49


2 Chronicles 20:31-37

1 Kings 22:50
2 Chronicles 21:1-4


2 Kings 8:16-22


2 Chronicles 21:5-7

We picked up with the events after King Ahab’s death. The crown of Israel went to his son Ahaziah, yet another wicked ruler who rejected God and bowed to Baal. After his short reign, his brother Joram took over. It was Joram who joined with Jehoshaphat, the godly king of Judah, to invade the land of Moab. During their campaign, God miraculously provided water in the middle of the desert. However, their invasion ended when they witnessed the King of Moab sacrifice his oldest son to his god. This unthinkable event provides some insight into why the Lord despised the surrounding nations.

The event that jumped off of the pages for me today was that of the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the soldiers of King Ahaziah (2 Kings 1). Ahaziah had fallen through one of the floors in his palace and hurt himself badly. Instead of turning to the Lord for help, he sent his messenger to pray at the temple of Baal. Elijah intercepted the messenger and told him that Ahaziah would not recover from his injuries. This news angered the king, of course, so he demanded that Elijah be arrested. Here is where the epic showdown took place.

Twice, army captains with fifty men found Elijah on a hill and shouted to him, “Man of God, the king has commanded you to come along with us!” Both times, Elijah responded, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and destroy you!” Both times the men were consumed with fire. The third captain approached Elijah a little differently. He fell to his knees and pleaded with him to come and he did.

This story is significant in my mind for at least three reasons. First, it is remarkable to me that these people learned nothing from the meltdown on Mt. Carmel, when Elijah demonstrated the awesome power of God, who flame-broiled the 450 prophets of Baal. This insolence reveals the wickedness of the hearts of men. They recognized God’s presence and power and still refused to honor Him as God. Doesn’t this sound like intellectuals today, who see the evidence of God but who still refuse to acknowledge Him?

Second, the manner in which these captains approached Elijah is reflective of how we should approach the Lord. Two of them came to him arrogantly, demanding that He do what they say, while the third one came in humility and pleaded for the Lord’s favor. “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5, 6). We must remember who we are in light of who He is. “God is in heaven and we are on earth, therefore, let our words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:3).

Finally, I cannot help but see here the relationship between God and government (the King). The God of heaven is under no one’s authority, not even the kings of earth; He cannot be shunned then summoned at their whim. Rather, the kings of earth are under God’s authority, and they are accountable for their deeds. No matter how much power a ruler acquires for himself on earth, he will always have to submit to the God of heaven!

Daily Reflection

Have you ever been guilty of approaching God in arrogance, demanding that He do what you want? Why is it that God is opposed to the proud? Why is your pride so offensive to Him?

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