August 27 Hop or Stand?

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.