Daily Scripture: 1 Kings 18:16 So ‘Ovadyah went, found Ach’av and told him; and Ach’av went to meet Eliyahu. 17 When Ach’av saw Eliyahu, Ach’av said to him, “Is it really you, you troubler of Isra’el?” 18 He answered, “I haven’t troubled Isra’el, you have, you and your father’s house, by abandoning Adonai’s mitzvot and following the ba‘alim. 19 Now order all Isra’el to assemble before me on Mount Karmel, along with the 450 prophets of Ba‘al and the 400 prophets of the asherah who eat at Izevel’s table.”
20 Ach’av sent word to all the people of Isra’el and assembled the prophets together on Mount Karmel. 21 Eliyahu stepped forward before all the people and said, “How long are you going to jump back and forth between two positions? If Adonai is God, follow him; but if it’s Ba‘al, follow him!” The people answered him not a word. 22 Then Eliyahu said to the people, “I, I alone, am the only prophet of Adonai who is left, while Ba‘al’s prophets number 450. 23 Let them give us two young bulls, and they can choose the bull they want for themselves. Then let them cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood but put no fire under it. I will prepare the other bull, lay it on the wood and put no fire under it. 24 Then, you, call on the name of your god; and I will call on the name of Adonai; and the God who answers with fire, let him be God!” All the people answered, “Good idea! Agreed!”
1 Kings 19:1 Ach’av told Izevel everything Eliyahu had done and how he had put all the prophets to the sword. 2 Then Izevel sent a messenger to say to Eliyahu, “May the gods do terrible things to me and worse ones besides if by this time tomorrow I haven’t taken your life, just as you took theirs!” 3 On seeing that, he got up and fled for his life.
When he arrived in Be’er-Sheva, in Y’hudah, he left his servant there; (Complete Jewish Bible).
Reflection Questions: King Ahab of Israel married Jezebel, a Baal-worshipping queen from Sidon (cf. 1 Kings 16:29-33). Their reign made Israel economically rich, but spiritually poor. They actively stifled the worship of Israel’s God (cf. 1 Kings 18:4). The prophet Elijah boldly challenged the royal couple. To challenge Israel’s worship of the false god Baal, he set up a showdown with Baal’s prophets. They and Elijah called, but only one god—Israel’s God—answered. Elijah’s victory seemed complete—but Jezebel was still queen. Angry about Baal’s defeat, she threatened to kill Elijah. Tired, depressed and afraid, the brave prophet ran for his life.
- Ahab greeted Elijah with, “Is that you, the one who troubles Israel?” (18:17) Ruling as a tyrant, trying to kill anyone faithful to Israel’s God, the king still blamed his kingdom’s problems on the one man who dared to speak God’s word to him. When have you, in a large or small way, had the chance to “speak truth to power”? How did you do, and what were the results—externally, and in your own heart?
- Elijah challenged the Israelites: “How long will you hobble back and forth between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow God. If Baal is God, follow Baal" (verse 21). Neutrality was not an option—still isn’t. There are many modern “Baals"—material goods, financial security, reputation, career achievement, even "right" theology. Prayerfully ask if you are putting any “Baals" ahead of God. Join Elijah in praying: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God… and that I am your servant" (verse 36).
Donna Karlen serves in Communications at Church of the Resurrection by creating and managing social media content.
Elijah doesn’t hesitate to ask God for help – in some pretty big ways – and fully believes that God will more than come through.
I’ve asked God for big things – no fire from heaven kind of big things – but certainly healing for loved ones and myself, for guidance and help in difficult times, and even for a miracle here and there. After all, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we are to pray without ceasing. Philippians 4:6 tells us to bring our requests to God in prayer.
But more often than not, my prayers are just that: my requests. The more I read about Elijah in 1 Kings, the more I marvel at how his prayers almost always focus on pointing people to God. Certainly I try to pray some God-pointing prayers now and then as well. When I write a GPS Insight, I pray for it to reach at least one person with some kind of message of hope. Every week as I work on our church’s social media posts, bulletin and digital newsletter, I pray these tools will help someone find their way to a worship service, program, class or event where they will discover or learn more about a God who loves fiercely and who won’t let them go. But seven times (at least) out of ten, I would bet my prayers are focused more on me and my needs.
We’re just a couple days away from a brand new month. What if we took the month of August to pray more often - to live more often - the way Elijah does? In ways that point people to God and show our God is real. And let’s do it with full confidence that God will answer and work through us.
“Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that you, Lord, are the real God.”
Such boldness! I want to pray and live like that!
Like this post? Share it!
You might also like:
- Prayer Tip: We Can Do More Together
- Imagine—“to the end of the earth”
- All that’s gone…all that’s left
- Take up your cross
- “Come, follow me”
- Or download this week's printable GPS.
©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
***
No comments:
Post a Comment