“Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord
listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing
Israel. The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the
power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before.
But they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had
caused Israel to commit; they continued in them. Also, the Asherah pole
remained standing in Samaria. 2 Kings 13:4-6 NKJV
Does God answer the prayers of non-believers? Yes, He
does. There were no godly kings in the northern kingdom of Israel, not even a
single one. All of them had committed the abominable evils in the eyes of the
Lord and never turned away from the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat. Nevertheless,
the Lord God was generous and gracious unto them, listened to their cries and
petitions, and provided a deliverer from the hands of enemies.
Here is another account. “Hazael king of Aram oppressed
Israel throughout the reign of Jehoahaz. But the Lord was gracious to them and
had compassion and showed concern for them because of his covenant with
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day he has been unwilling to destroy them or
banish them from his presence.” (2 Kings 13:22-23 NKJV) When the enemy
oppressed Israel, an unbelieving state, God was gracious to them and had
compassion and showed concern for them.
Why was God so gracious and compassionate on them who
rebelled against Him? Because God made the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, although they didn’t deserve at all of His concern and compassion. Likewise,
our God is gracious and compassionate that He is willing to offer a fountain of
living water springing up to eternal life to anyone who comes by the faith in
Jesus Christ the Lord (John 4:13-14).
Therefore, remember the God of grace and compassion and
return to Him and be thankful always
that we have an eternal deliverer, Jesus Christ the Lord. Our God is the God of
justice and compassion and of the second chance. “The Lord had seen how
bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no
one to help them. And since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of
Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.”
(2 Kings 14:26-27 NKJV)
No one under the sun is out of hope of receiving the mercy and grace and
compassion of God. Jesus Christ the Lord invites all who are weary and burdened
to have the perfect rest and peace of God (Matthew 11:28). Jesus Christ also
invites all who thirsts to come and drink and promised that out of his heart will
flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-39). Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life (John
6:35). The Scripture says that man does not live on bread alone but on every
word that comes out of the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4) That Word
is Jesus Christ the Lord. We eat Him and drink His blood through the words of
truth which strengthen and enlighten us (John 6:53-59). Now is the age of His
grace.
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