Lesser of Two Evils

If you are like me, you are longing for November and the end of all the political circus perpetuated by the media. One of my primary frustrations is the lack of candidates that best represent my core values. Those voting in the Democratic primary face choosing between the lesser of two evils, and regardless of who wins the Democratic nomination American voters are left again with getting to select between the lesser of two evils. In short, no matter where you stand in the political arena, the horizon doesn't look so bright.

This morning I read a passage that mirrors what I see in the political races, but more importantly gives a bold statement about who God is. In 1 Kings 20, just after the story of Elijah's victory on Mt. Carmel, there is a lesser known story that is an Old Testament example of 2 Peter 3:9. King Ahab, of the northern Kingdom of Israel, is no King David by any means. Truth be known, he is described in early chapters as one who "did evil in the sight of the LORD more than all who were before him." (1 Kings 16:30) The subsequent chapters detail how deep this guy goes into the mire of immorality. Yet, here in chapter 20, we see, not a silver lining in Ahab's character, but rather another shot in the ever-constant character of God. Ahab is about to be attacked by a mighty army conglomerate assembled by Ben Hadad of Aram. In my eyes, Ahab is about to get what he deserves... obliteration. And yet, I am not God. Instead, God extends grace to this evil, evil king of Israel.

In verse 13, after a long game of testosterone-laden verbal tennis between Ahab and Ben Hadad, God's prophet steps onto the field and tells Ahab, "Thus says the LORD, 'Have you seen all this great multitude? Behold, I will deliver them into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the LORD.'" The following verses describe a massive demonstration of God's might that could be likened to my daughter's preschool class of 13 whooping up on the Super Bowl champion NY Giants.

This story is not about Ahab's turning to God in repentance (which doesn't happen), but rather God showing us once again that He loves His people and gives us every opportunity to turn to Him. When I was young, I once thought the main difference between the Old Testament and the New was that the Old was about God's wrath and the New about His grace. But as I have matured and actually read the Old Testament in the past years I learned nothing could be further from the truth. You see, God is the same yesteday, today and forever. He was full of grace and righteousness then, and He still is and always will be. So if you are like me and get frustrated with the world and ready for God just to step in and finish it all off, keep this Psalm in mind,

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness." -- Psalm 103:8

Ahab's heart didn't change, but thanks to the grace of God, some of us have experienced heart change that enable us to call Him Abba Father.