Topic: Mercy For The Contrite [DCLM Daily Manna 20 May 2019 Daily Devotional]
Text: 1 Kings 21:17-29 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth and went softly” (1 Kings 21:27).
MESSAGE:
One of the great attributes of the Almighty God is His bountiful mercies. The Bible describes Him as a God who forgives iniquity and a song writer says, His mercy is like a “boundless tide like the waters of the sea that covers every sin of man…” Man, no matter his atrocities, sins and wickedness can find and get pardon from God if he truly and sincerely repents.
The description of Ahab’s sin and wickedness in the text is such that made it look as though such a one could never get a reprieve from God. The Bible says that he was incomparable in his wickedness and that his evils exceeded those of his predecessors. He was a sin-addict and seemed to derive pleasure in perpetrating wickedness. But when Elijah the prophet confronted him with the grim judgment of God hanging over him because of his sins, he sobered up. For the first time in his life, he humbled himself and expressed true sorrow and genuine repentance for a while. For this reason, God sent back Elijah to him commending him and aborting evils in his days.
This is an encouragement for all who may be weighed down by the heavy load of their sins today. Do you feel condemned by your sinful and wicked acts? Do you think you can never get pardon because of the extent you have gone in sin and wickedness? Do you see God’s looming judgment and feel there is no hiding place? Be encouraged to know that you can find forgiveness and pardon in Christ. God hates sin and will certainly bring judgment on sinners but you can receive mercy and forgiveness, if you truly repent.
Like Ahab, you must humble yourself as you acknowledge your sinfulness and confess all your sins with a determination to break completely away from them. Take a step further to make right your ways with all those you have hurt with your sinful acts.
Thought For The Day: Mercy awaits all who truly repents.
The Bible In One Year: Ruth 3-4
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
