Pastor Rusty Milton
"Re-Canaanizing the Land"
1 Kings 16:29-34 ESV

The heart is an idol factory, and the more we have of them, the less we are satisfied. Idols always work to turn your life away from grace and into a spiritual wilderness. In 1 Kings 16:29, we are introduced to Ahab, the new king of Israel. Rather than seeking contentment and fulfilment in God, we immediately see him seeking satisfaction through his relationship with Jezebel (vs. 31) and the older Canaanite religions (vs. 32). We, similarly, tend to seek satisfaction in relationships, as well as man-centered religions that put us in control: we seek someone to satisfy our hearts, and return to belief systems that rely on rules and regulations rather than grace. No idols of relationship or religion, however, will satisfy us until we are satisfied in a grace-centered relationship with Christ. If you find yourself far from God, then spend more time learning about God through his Word and prayer; this will bring you to a place of deep satisfaction and contentment. 

1 Kings 16:29-34
English Standard Version
Ahab Reigns in Israel

29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. 31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the 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 at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.