ESOCS Devotional 28 August 2026 – Hope For Sinners
MEMORY VERSE: 1 Kings 21:25 “There was never a man like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, urged by Jezebel his wife.”
TEXT: 1 Kings 21:21-end
‘Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will take away your posterity, and will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both bond and free. 22 I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, and made Israel sin.’ 23 And concerning Jezebel the Lord also spoke, saying, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ 24 The dogs shall eat whoever belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, and the birds of the air shall eat whoever dies in the field.”
25 But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife [c]stirred him up. 26 And he behaved very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.
27 So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.
28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.”
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Sinners are transgressors against the word of God. When we disobey God we are called sinners. However, whether we sinned ignorantly or intentionally, we still have hope of reconciliation with God. God is not man. Some men don’t reconcile with offenders. They must retaliate. But God accepts sinners. We must learn from the life of sinners in the past to know what constitutes sin and how God reacts to sin and confession. Our text provides some guide.
First of all, all sins have punishment preserved for those who engage in them. For Ahab God schemed disaster for him and his descendants. None shall enjoy peaceful burial. They will all face public shame in death. (1 Kings 21:21-24). Anyone who wants to escape shame in life and death must endeavour to repent and reconcile with God.
Knowledge of what the Bible teaches about life and our dealings will help us run away from sin. Knowledge is power. We receive the power to avoid sin when we know the word of God and believer same. Sin is a conduct against what God has said. In verse 25 we read that Ahab sold himself to do evil in the eyes of God.
Thirdly, we have to learn to say no to sinful influences. Influential men and women have used leaders as instrument to practice their wicked acts. We should watch out for such people and be bold and firm in rejecting their evil influence. Ahab could not say no to Jezebel his wife. Urged by his wife, Ahab did evil in the eyes of God going after other gods. I(1 Kings 21:25).
Many people find it difficult to accept their sinful act to confess. That is another brand of evil. They are bold and ever ready to defend their sinful acts. This is called wickedness. (Daniel 12:10). But Ahab showed remorse when the prophet confronted him. For this, God reneged in punishing Ahab. (1 Kings 21:26-28).
In all it pays to accept responsibility for our errors. God does not despise a broken and contrite spirit. (Psalm 51:16, 17). This is the hope of a sinner. God forgives when we confess and repent.
Question
How do you react when you are confronted with your sin?
Prayer
Father, give me a humble spirit and the understanding of my errors. Grant me forgiveness for all I have erred in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading:
Jer. 31:27-34, Acts 21:15-36, John 16:1-15.
ESOCS Devotional 28 August 2026
