In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he built in Samaria. Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him. 1 Kings 16:29-33
There seemed to be a period of time in Judah and Israel’s history that the leaders had a reverse “oneupmanship” going. Each had to outdo the previous king in terms of evil and wickedness. Then we come to Ahab. Ahab is famous not because he was king, but because of his wife Jezebel. Jezebel is synonymous with evil. In fact, the priestess who welcomes blasphemous practices in the Book of Revelations is Jezebel (Rev. 2:20). Elijah even ran for his life (1 Kings 19:3).
Undoubtedly we will come across those who are 100% opposed to you and what you stand for in life. These people will loudly mock you and slander you because, for whatever reason, they have been hurt deeply. Don’t write them off for a lost cause (after all, aren’t you glad people didn’t give up on you)? Don’t pity them. Instead, pray for them. Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal Himself to them in a fantastic way. Pray that they will realize their need of a Saviour. Pray that other Believers around them will plant seeds for a fruitful harvest.
Many years ago I was walking up a mountain late at night with no flashlight with my Boy Scout troop. I was the loudest in the bunch as we walked. I became silent when one of the leaders noted that “usually the loudest is the most afraid.” Bingo. He was right. I was terrified. So, too, in life, those who are the most vocal are often fearful of what lies ahead for them.