When We Move God

And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.” 1 Kings 21:27

I grew up in church and was taught from a young age that God is unchangeable. He is a rock that cannot be moved. I often pictured him as this massive rock structure that we visited several times when I was a kid. Even now when I get back there, that rock has not significantly changed (as far as I can tell). This is comforting . . . unless it feels like God is angry with me, disciplining me. Then, I hope that if God cannot change, that at least his posture towards me can change.

This, of course, is one of the most comforting thoughts in all of scripture – That no matter how far we’ve wandered from God, if we repent, he will forgive us and embrace us. This is the message of today’s passage, which tells of Ahab, who is considered the most wicked king Israel ever had. As king, Ahab led his people to worship Idols, and participated in the killing of an innocent Israelite, just so he could take his vineyard. For his crimes, the prophet Elijah confronted Ahab, condemning him to death. At this news, Ahab mourned and fasted, repenting and turning to God. And God was moved. Even though Ahab had done terrible things, God was still moved by his acts of repentance and God relented from his plan to take Ahab’s life.

This is blessed news to us, because it’s not if we fail, it’s when we fail. We all sin in some way. When we do, we don’t lose our salvation, but we do distance ourselves from God. When we recognize this distance, we must immediately turn to God, repenting, asking forgiveness, and drawing near to him. In doing so. We move God, as he always forgives us, no matter what we’ve done.