The world judges people by what they have: money, political power, beauty, strength, courage, knowledge, intelligence, etc. In short, their outward appearance.

But when God looks at someone, He sees who he is, because He looks at the heart.

It’s a big mistake to think that sins can impede the Spirit of God to work. If that were true, Jesus would not have performed so many miracles. To be honest, the real villain that blocks God from working is hypocrisy. A hypocrite is not humble to recognise his mistakes. He keeps himself far from God, and yet he demands from other people something that he himself does not have—purity.

On the other hand, the Bible tells wonderful stories of people who had committed terrible sins, yet God had compassion on them simply because of an act of sincere humbleness.

Ahab was one of the worst kings of Israel. Stirred up by Jezebel, his wife, he did terrible things against the Lord, worshipping idols. But when Elijah prophesied about the calamity the Lord was going to bring on his house, he immediately humbled himself before the Lord. He tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his body, and fasted. And as if that were not enough, he slept on sackcloth and hung his head low.

His attitude of faith in practice touched God’s heart. And the answer was quick. The Lord said to Elijah:

“See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days…” (1 Kings 21:17-29)