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The Kings of Israel
Call to Prayer
Topic: The Kings of Israel
By: Daniel Peter
Date: 24.12.2024
And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life. (1 Kings 20:31 KJV)
Israel had a unique reputation among the nations. This reputation was revealed in a conversation between the king of Syria and one of his aides in a time of war when they were almost killed by the Israeli army. The aide told the Syrian king that “the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings” (1 Kings 20:31) when he was encouraging him to humble himself and ask for mercy so that his life would be spared.
Surprisingly, Ahab, one of the most wicked kings of Israel, the husband of Jezebel, and the killer of Naboth was the present king of Israel. Yet, he actually showed the king of Syria mercy when he came to beg. However, in showing mercy to the king of Syria, Ahab actually contravened God’s will, which had ordained the Syrian king’s demise (1 Kings 20:32-43). Despite this, Ahab’s actions demonstrate the deeply ingrained merciful nature of Israel’s kings.
Mercy, as a virtue, is something that is developed in us. That is, humans are not naturally merciful. One of the ways God helps us to become merciful is by the trials He allows us to experience. If you have not been sick, it may be difficult for you to be compassionate towards the sick. If you have not suffered a lack, you may not be able to feel for the poor. So, God sometimes would allow us to share in the weaknesses of people, so we can be merciful to them, especially those He is sending us to.
Scripture says Jesus was made like them (humans), so He can be a merciful and faithful high priest (Hebrews 2:17). Sometimes, it is difficult to feel for people whose suffering you have not partaken of. This is why those God has chosen to manifest the gifts of healing sometimes have to endure being sick themselves.
God has made us kings and priests before our God (Revelation 1:6). To help us become merciful, God would permit diverse trials in our training process. This increases our capacity to love, for mercy is an attribute of love. However, we must also recognize that there are times when God’s will may require us to take a stand or make difficult decisions, even if they seem to contradict our natural inclination towards mercy.
So, don’t give up; the trials you are presently going through are producing good in you, a heart of mercy.
Prayer Point:
Let’s thank God for His word today. Let’s ask Him to help us see what He is doing in our lives through the trials He permits, so we will be encouraged and endure it patiently.
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