Where Exaltation Resides

1 Kings 21:29 KJV

Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.

Perhaps in the history of Israel there was no king so wicked as Ahab. Certainly if he was not the contribution of his wife made his reign infamous.

Israel a rejection of the Temple in Jerusalem reached new lows under Ahab as the worship of Baal dominated the nation. The killing of the prophets, the murder of Naboth and the imprisoning of Micaiah highlight how horribly wretched was this man.

Yet when Elijah pronounced judgment against him so that his family would be slaughtered as was the family of Baasha before him, Ahab humbled himself and went softly and God declared that because of his humbling the judgment would be postponed until his son was on the throne.

It was not like Ahab then became a follower of the Lord. His imprisonment of Micaiah happened after this (though he did become friendly towards the king of Judah and he did tolerate some prophets - though they were phony's. They remind me of so many in politics who want a Christian influence but not a real preacher around them.) But Ahab's humility at this moment did prevent the immediate judgment of his family and I am of the opinion that, had his son humbled himself judgment would have been delay for him as well.
Humility before God always serves us well. To take the humble road is to always take the higher road. God will do what must be done. Our place is to always humble ourselves and to submit to his almighty hand.

That is where exaltation resides.