“In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri became king over Israel; and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. 30 Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 34 In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the Lord, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun.” 1 Kings 16:29-34 NKJV
Father and Lord God,
We think Ahab and Jezebel cannot sink any lower in sin than their predecessors but You say they do. They lead and all Israel follows. Flouting Your commandments and warnings. In this atmosphere of anything goes Hiel, whether for himself or for Ahab, ignores Your warnings through Joshua and rebuilds Jericho. So two of his sons die, as Joshua foretold (Joshua 6:26). We do not know if this was accidental deaths or sacrificial. Whichever it was, it was the greatest cost he could ever have paid. Who would want to take that risk? What a terrible Father to have.
We learn to call You Father, from Jesus and the writings of Paul (Romans 8:15, Mark 14:36, and Galatians 4:6). In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus calls on You, as HIs Father. A Father who wants the best, has made plans, and will see them through. But for some, Father brings difficult and painful even traumatic memories, far from good. And all our Fathers had their human faults and weaknesses. Help us to be able to put aside wrong emotions and see You our God as our Good Father. The Father who is here for us, provides, is always available. Who draws us into His family and will bring us safe home. It does not mean Your commandments do not still stand or that You will not correct us, but that You do it for our good and with kindness. Help us deepen and cllarify our relationship with You Father..
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 27th May 2026
Both worth a listen. One from 1977 an one from 2026!
Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone
May my will forever be
Ever more Your own
Never let my heart grow cold
Never let me go
Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone
Lyrics|: Dave Bilbrough
Lyrics: JOSHUA STANLEY, GOODLUCK STANLEY, ISAAC OKONTE-JONAH, RICHARD PERE-OWEI TAMUNO, ASE MOSES.