August 29

Worship Him

1 Kings 18:25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since  there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire."

LET'S focus today on Elijah's instructions to the Baal priests to "Call on the name of your god." Simply speaking in our terms, we would say, "Pray to your god." But this phrase is elevated in the Hebrew language to become, "Call on the name of the Lord." This is more than prayer. It means to enter into a definite and conspicuous position to approach God. The instruction speaks of both a physical and an emotional approach to the Lord God of the universe. This is about worship. And the worship would be done in a physical position demonstrating you honor and worship God's authority over your life.

           We see this first in Genesis 4:26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord. This beginning of worship was in stark contrast to the account of Cain murdering Abel, Cain continuing to disobey God, and Cain's descendant Lamech bragging of his own murderous heart (Genesis 4:23-24). Seth and his descendants became the line of righteous people living in submission to God's authority on their lives. Seth's lineage led to Noah, then to Abraham and ultimately, of course, to Jesus.  

           Why then is Elijah telling the prophets of Baal to approach Baal in a conspicuous worship position? Elijah is removing any reason they could later say, "It is our fault Baal didn't respond to us." Elijah wanted all to see that the "no response" from the "no god" will be in stark contrast to what happens when Elijah calls on the name of the Lord.

           Do you call on the name of the Lord? Do you get into a worshipful physical position to honor God's authority? The Jews saw that position as arms lifted high, eyes wide open toward the heavens and audible voices praising and petitioning God. We see the worship position as one with head bowed, eyes shut and mouth closed. Some prefer outward displays of worship. Some prefer more intimate actions to call on the name of the Lord.

           This lesson is sure. To truly call on the name of the Lord requires most of all we have a heart in the right position. We must approach God with a heart of love, worshiping him as the true omnipotent, omniscient God, who in his authority has acted to save us from sin! Truly he is worthy. Call on his name. Worship him.

Prayer: Father, bow our hearts to you. Lift up our voices in praise and adoration to call on your name. In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 18:22-24 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire — he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good."

WHY is Elijah "the only one of the Lord's prophets left."? Where are the 100 prophets Obadiah protected against Jezebel's murderous schemes? It appears Elijah is the only prophet of God to come to the confrontation. Perhaps the other prophets were too afraid to come. Or perhaps Elijah was protecting them. Elijah is the one man representing the Kingdom of God before the kingdom of this world. One faithful man of God standing where God has placed him is enough.

           See how Elijah is in control of the event. He instructs the Baal prophets. He gives the details of the test and establishes the "passing grade" of the test. The true God will demonstrate his power through fire on the altar.

           Elijah is being a leader for God's cause. He doesn't come to this with an attitude, "What would you like to do?" He knows what needs to be done. He is confident and faithful. Elijah is a witness to the Spirit's power to strengthen us and give us words to stand for him when we need them.

           Jesus promised this would be true when they confronted the kingdom of the world: Matthew 10:17 "Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  

           Elijah's ministry is a picture of true discipleship. Hear the Lord's words. Trust the Lord's words. Obey the Lord's words. Speak the Lord's words. See the Lord's Word come in power. Witness the Lord's Word turn man from the kingdom of this world and into the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Grant us faith, Spirit, that we will easily speak your truth to live Paul's words in Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

August 27

Hop or Stand?

1 Kings 18:20-21 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing.  

THIS is a frightening passage. When Elijah confronts Israel with the essential question, "Do you worship Baal or Yahweh?" there is no response.

           In the Hebrew language Elijah's question would be heard this way: "How long will you hop about on two branches?" Elijah used a word picture to compare Israel to a bird hopping about from branch to branch, not knowing where to settle. Tragically, he people of Israel did not know where to settle - God or Baal. God's true prophets told them one thing. Their king and queen told them another. Should they fear God or fear Baal's representatives, the evil Ahab and Jezebel?  

           This is the battle that has waged every day in mankind's mind since the Garden of Eden. For most of us, we fear God enough to hop onto his branch for a bit. But then the culture tells us, "Come over here. If you don't you'll be left behind, friendless and out of touch. Be like everyone else!" Listening to such voices, we hop onto the branch marked "Self Focus" or "Convenience". Even when God's Word clearly tells us what is right, we look elsewhere for our solutions. Such was the heart of Israel. It is as if they are waiting to see who wins before they decide onto what branch they will land.

           But we must know that following the Lord is about standing firm on his Word. You can be sure there is only one eternal true Branch - Jesus Christ. Standing on Jesus, we stand on the promises of God to save us into eternal life. If we believe him, we know he wins the final battle. Truly, it is frightening when our souls do not know where to go. Hopping about is telling God, "I don't really believe in you." Life is uncertain when we are not sure of God's truth.

           In his mercy, God is about to display to Israel his power over evil. He will call his people to stand on his truth. Will then the question remain, "Do you hop about? Do you worship Baal or Yahweh?" Or will Israel find the true place to stand?

Prayer: Father in Heaven, grant us faith to live fully into your promise: Isaiah 4:2 In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel.  In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 18:19 "Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."

AHAB is the king of Israel. He has all authority to do as he pleases. He'll even allow Jezebel to kill to get a vineyard (1 Kings 21). Obadiah, his chief administrator feared Ahab's wrath. But even to a fearful enemy Elijah goes to instruct the king. Is something backward here?

           No. Actually it is another step forward in Elijah's faith journey toward God. As surely as God prepared the ravens to care for Elijah in the wilderness (1 Kings 17:3-5) and the widow at Zarephath to welcome Elijah into her home (1 Kings 17:15), God has moved Ahab's heart to listen to the prophet's instructions.

           Elijah then commands Ahab to a big task. Get the Israelites to Mount Carmel. Gather 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. Elijah will be alone against hundreds, perhaps thousands of Israeli citizens who have been worshiping the devil (Idolatry is devil worship.) and confronting 850 false prophets. Through Elijah, God raised the widow's boy from his deathbed. God is about to use the prophet to again be the instrument of his life-giving power.

           Now consider this. For this confrontation and demonstration to happen, Elijah needed to instruct the king. If Elijah had kept quiet to say to himself, "I don't want to offend anyone."Or if he had been afraid of the king, the confrontation we are about to witness would not have happened. God's name would not have been glorified. Hearts would have remained empty and evil. To help people know of God, our fear of God must be greater than our fear of others.

           How many times in a week do you meet people who need to truly know God? How many need to be told that Jesus is the way to life? How many have heard this life-giving truth but do not believe the truth? Perhaps you even live with one or more who are rejecting Jesus. What do you do? What do you say?

           You keep speaking and keep living for the Lord. You never hold back. You never stop. Let God show up in your voice, your emotions, your demeanor and your love. Be a person intimately engaged with God, and you will help others come closer to the Lord. Being faithful to God means we are faithful to instruct others in his life-giving truth.

Prayer: Lord, open my mouth to speak for you. In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 18:17-18 When he saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" 18 "I have not made trouble for Israel," Elijah replied. "But you and your father's family have. You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals.

THIS event is more clear when we read it from the New King James version, 1 Kings 18:17 Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, "Is that you, O troubler of Israel?" Elijah has done as he promised Obadiah. He went to meet Ahab, Israel's pagan king. For three years Ahab had been searching for Elijah to kill him.

           Why was Elijah a wanted man? Why did Ahab call him "troubler of Israel"? It is because Ahab would not take responsibility for his sin and for Israel's sin. Ahab not only worshiped pagan, lifeless gods, he had led his fellow Israelites to do the same. History has repeatedly shown how people follow a leader even the wrong way. They follow him, too, if their disobedience threatens their lives.

           Ahab pointed to Elijah and said, "The drought is your fault. You have made trouble on Israel." Ahab did what we all do. He blamed someone else for the troubles of his sinful life. But as a true prophet, Elijah pointed back with the truth, "You have abandoned the Lord's commands and have followed the Baals."

           How many times do we become angry at someone for speaking truth into our lives? When we hear someone say, "You were wrong. You sinned. You acted against God's Word. You should apologize." We retort back with some excuse or blame. We too seldom respond with, "You are right."

           As you need integrity to be in full relationship with others, you also must confess and seek forgiveness with someone you wrong. And remember this. If someone has offended you, you must go to them to lovingly let them know you have a heart willing to forgive. You cannot be true to others if you hold back the truth.

           The Lord God requires us to submit to his truth. Time and again you will see in Scripture how the Lord sent his prophets to tell Israel, "You have sinned." Repeatedly they refused to listen the repent. Eventually the Lord's patience ended. Israel was totally destroyed. Judah was exiled to be reformed into a more faithful nation.

           Do you need to take responsibility for a sin that has caused trouble in someone's life?

Prayer: Father God, I take responsibility for my sins against you and others. Teach me, Spirit, to admit, "I am guilty." Give me faith to seek forgiveness. In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 18:13-16 Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water. 14 And now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.' He will kill me!" 15 Elijah said, "As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today." 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

VOWS are an important part of our lives. Many youth become involved in organizations that require its members to say a pledge at the beginning of the meeting. The pledge supports one's personal allegiance to the club, and its members commit to live into its principles. Many of us take vows when we join a church, get married and start a job. We commit to live into the principles of that relationship. Those with whom we join - other church member, a spouse and coworkers - must know we have integrity to do what we say. Integrity is necessary in relationships. People are only truly together in a relationship with they fully trust one another.

           Obadiah needed to trust Elijah. You might think, "Well, Elijah's a prophet. Why would Obadiah question him?" The truth is, Obadiah knew there were many false prophets in Israel. He was legitimate to pursue truth from Elijah because his life depended on it. He also knew Elijah had been gone for three years. Obadiah needed to know Elijah would do as he had spoken.

           Elijah assured Obadiah with this profound vow, "As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today." Your commitment level can get no higher than this. Elijah expressed his work was to serve the Lord, in the name of the Lord. Elijah put his integrity on the truth of the Living God. Obadiah had the assurance he needed. 

           Our lesson here is to be a person of your word in all phases of your life. Especially remember that if we go around telling people we believe in God, we must be diligent to seek, know and live God's truths. Jesus judged the Pharisees for their absence of integrity: Matthew 15:7-8 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." And he spoke judgment on all who call him Lord but refuse to live in his word. Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." 

           When you confess Jesus, "Lord and Savior." you are making a vow to submit to his authority. Follow Jesus with integrity. Perhaps when someone trusts you, he will come to trust Jesus.

Prayer: Guide all hearts, Holy Spirit, to teach your truth. May all teachers be people of integrity to live as they teach. In Jesus' name, amen.

August 22

Worry or Assurance?

1 Kings 18:9-12 "What have I done wrong," asked Obadiah, "that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to be put to death? 10 As surely as the Lord your God lives, there is not a nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to look for you. And whenever a nation or kingdom claimed you were not there, he made them swear they could not find you. 11 But now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.' 12 I don't know where the Spirit of the Lord may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me." 

HERE Obadiah, a faithful man of God, had to make a decision when Elijah approached him. For one, as King Ahab's trusted administrator, Obadiah could turn from Elijah to tell Ahab of Elijah's whereabouts. That would put him in greater favor with Ahab.      Second, Obadiah could disobey Elijah and let Elijah go to Ahab. That might be the most comfortable choice. Third, he could obey Elijah's request even though he feared Ahab would kill him if Elijah went missing again. This is the most dangerous option, and it follows that this is the option that requires the most faith.

           It's complicated, isn't it? We have so many choices: Do what pleases others. Do what makes you comfortable. Or do what the Lord requires of you, even as it brings potential danger and certain conflict into your life. Sometimes our choices come together into an easy plan. But oftentimes, our choices create conflict. It's as if your heart, mind and soul are pulled in three different directions.

           A key to deciding, "Which way do I go?" is to assess, "Where is truth?" Obadiah is pulled between loyalty to the king, loyalty to his own well-being and loyalty to God's prophet. He will have an easier time deciding what to do when he finds assurance that Elijah speaks the truth. 

           There is no greater assurance than when we trust the truth. That's why we must know and believe what the Lord says. He calls us to follow him as he guides our steps day-by-day. We can think of confessing our truth in God's words as we sing the hymn "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine...this is my story this is my son, praising my Savior all the daylong". We may also how knowing the truth of our Savior leads us to sing the praise song "Step by step you lead me, and I will follow you all of my days." These are words confessing we believe God's words are real truth for our real life.

           As Obadiah lived in pagan-influenced Israel, he stood above the culture and lived in the assurance of the truth in the Kingdom of God. And thus, he acted faithfully.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your blessed assurance, that we can follow you step-by-step each day. In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 18:5-8 Ahab had said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals." 6 So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another. 7 As Obadiah was walking along, Elijah met him. Obadiah recognized him, bowed down to the ground, and said, "Is it really you, my lord Elijah?" 8 "Yes," he replied. "Go tell your master, 'Elijah is here.'"

OBADIAH was a godly man. Recall that yesterday's passage spoke of how he had protected 100 prophets of God from evil Jezebel's murderous intent. He was also King Ahab's right-hand man. I use "right-hand" deliberately to refer to Obadiah as a man of authority and power in Israel. To be at the king's right hand is a special seat of power. (That's why Jesus refers to this position, even as the Pharisees judge him. Matthew 26:64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.")

           Ahab and Obadiah are on a search for water and grass in the drought-stricken land to preserve their animals' lives. Ahab goes one way, Obadiah the other. Then Obadiah finds the one who represents Living Water. "Is it really you, my lord Elijah?"

           In this meeting, Obadiah has a decision to make. He knows how Ahab has hunted Elijah. He knows Elijah carries with him God's anointing to even speak drought into the land. Will he report Elijah's presence to Ahab? Or will he respond to the man of God? Secular comfort versus Kingdom living always creates a crisis in our souls. What will we do?

           We'll see Obadiah's conflict in more detail tomorrow. Learn from this godly man today this lesson: When we are faithful to care for God's Word, he will step into our lives to take us into a deeper relationship with him. He may send a pastor, a friend, a spouse or a child to encourage you into a new and challenging ministry. You may be confronted with opposition to God's Word within your job. Do you act to protect your job or even a family relationship by agreeing with the sin around you? Or do you act into God's commands?

           Always the testing comes to God's faithful. Expect it. Be attentive to the ways God is speaking to you. Encourage others who are speaking God's Word. Be willing to show God you are willing. He will empower you.

Prayer: Oh God of Heaven and earth, there is so much around me to challenge my faith. Grow me deeper into you that I will faithfully stand with you. In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 18:2(b)-4 Now the famine was severe in Samaria, 3 and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord. 4 While Jezebel was killing off the Lord's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)

WE know a three-year drought has ravaged Israel, the Northern Kingdom of God's people. In particular, it is believed the drought was most severe in the capital city Samaria. But we see evidence of a greater dryness than no rain or dew, don't we? Jezebel, Ahab's wife and queen of Israel, was determined to remove the worship and the name of the Living God from his people. Against God's commands, Ahab had married her out of a foreign land. Here is a summary of Jezebel's evil life:

    "Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of the Zidonians. This was the first time that a king of Israel (note Solomon was king of Judah) had allied himself by marriage with a heathen princess; and the alliance was in this case was very disastrous.

    "Jezebel has stamped her name on history as the representative of all that is plotting, crafty, malicious, revengeful, and cruel. She is the first great instigator of persecution against the saints of God. Guided by no principle, restrained by no fear of either God or man, passionate in her attachment to her heathen worship, she spared no pains to maintain idolatry around her. Four hundred and fifty prophets ministered under her care to Baal, besides four hundred prophets of the Asherah, which ate at her table.

    "The idolatry was of the most debased and sensual kind. Her conduct was in many respects very disastrous to the kingdom both of Israel and Judah." (taken from Easton's Bible Dictionary)

    But in the midst of this great evil, God had established a faithful man, Obadiah. He was given great responsibility in Ahab's court. It is fascinating to see that Obadiah survived and thrived in such a pagan court. Again we see God's provision for his own. He protected Obadiah's life and used Obadiah's responsibilities and resources to hide and provide for 100 prophets. This was an enormous task in the great drought.

    Again, God preserves his own amid evil. God will bring his living water into a dry land through people he chooses. Are you one of the chosen messengers?

Prayer: Grant to me, Lord, your thirst-quenching water. Give me a great love for others, so I will teach them to drink. In Jesus' name, amen.

August 19

Alone

1 Kings 18:1-2(a) After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land." 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.

WE have witnessed Elijah's faith journey in the context of how God has protected Elijah from the evil King Ahab of Israel. Now after three years God instructs Elijah to return to Ahab, who has been searching three years to find Elijah to kill him. Elijah's mission is to demonstrate to Israel and to Ahab God's power over drought and over evil.

           Certainly Elijah will go with fear and uncertainty. Or would he? After all, he has seen God's gracious salvation protect his life and even resurrect the widow's son! Perhaps Elijah went into Israel with hope and even joy! He carried a message of salvation that rain would come again. Hearing the message, Ahab and Israel will welcome Elijah home.

           But we will see sin's powerful hold on people displace Elijah's hope. There is too little of God and too much evil in Israel. They will not easily accept God's gracious life offering. Even some of God's own will be fearful to be associated with Elijah. The prophet will be left alone with God.

           This is often the case, isn't it? Godly men and women find themselves alone in the world. Jesus came with God's glories message of life, but the world is too full of evil to easily accept him. By the time he approached the cross, Jesus was alone with God. All had deserted him.

           Heroes of faith often find themselves so alone and wonder, "Does anyone care what I say? God are you here with me as you said you would be?" But if we see our "alone place" from a faith view, we will see God's hand of life. We will realize that being with the Living God is the best place to be.     

           Above all earthly challenges, even loneliness, we must remember that God has called us to proclaim his gracious salivation message to the world. Nothing - nothing - is more important than eternal life. He knows evil will strike against you to turn you from the battle. He also knows his Word will win the battle.

           You will see that the farther Elijah goes with God, the more alone he will become. If your faith journey seems to be separating you from the world, from former friends and even family who reject you, remember the Lord God has called you. Pay attention to Elijah's battles in the days to come. Learn as Elijah did that the Lord is with you now and for all eternity. 

Prayer: Thank you, God, for always being with me. Grow my faith to desire more and more of you. Help me to know you are my eternal Father. In Jesus' name, amen.