March 26 - I Kings 16-18
As we continue to read about the progression of kings in Israel and Judah, do you see any differences between the two countries? I know it is hard to keep up with who was king when and in which country, but if you spend a little time with it, it becomes easier. When you do get a glimpse into the situation, it is clear that the northern kingdom of Israel has more chaos in the leadership, and in general each king reigns for a shorter time. This is part of God's judgment for the sin of Jeroboam. Baasha and his family are killed the same way he killed the entire family of Jeroboam. There are acts of treason, and even the division of the kingdom for a short time. The Bible says the sin became worse and worse. Finally, Ahab became king. He raised the paganism to a new level. His wife, Jezebel, helped him fully support paganism instead of the true worship of God. This shows a spiritual principle. When we sin as a person or as a nation, we can't just hold it to a certain level. It will get worse and worse, unless we repent. Satan is so good at leading people down the path of sin. It is a slippery slope. Once you start down, your slide gets faster and faster, unless you find a way to stop and return to solid ground. That solid ground is God's word. The way to stop is repentance and confession.
God sends His man, Elijah, into this bad situation. Elijah is a prophet, who speaks God's word and walks closely with the Lord. Because of his faith in the Lord and obedience, God uses him to proclaim God's judgment through sending a drought in the land, God feeds and protects him in a supernatural way, and God even uses him to raise the dead. All of this happens before the great showdown at Mount Carmel. Elijah is able to trust God to send fire from heaven, and he defeats Ahab's pagan prophets. Then God sends the rain. What an awesome display of the power of God! The immediate reaction of the people was to worship God as the only true God. Their focus was not on the miracle, but on the God behind the miracle. That is how God always wants it to be with His signs to us. We should see the sign and turn to God.
You might wonder at this point, "why does God not do these things today or why does He not do things like this through me?" Part of the answer is in your heart. Do you trust God each day like Elijah? Does God know that He can trust you? The other part of the answer lies with God. God is the one who chooses the miracle to fit the situation. Maybe God did not choose to do a miracle through your life. However, sometimes we don't put ourselves in the position to need a miracle. Elijah did what God told him to do in facing the prophets of Baal. In response to his obedience God worked a miracle. God got Elijah into that situation, so He would get him out. He will do the same for you and me, if we are willing to follow Him into those kinds of situations.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 19,20.
God sends His man, Elijah, into this bad situation. Elijah is a prophet, who speaks God's word and walks closely with the Lord. Because of his faith in the Lord and obedience, God uses him to proclaim God's judgment through sending a drought in the land, God feeds and protects him in a supernatural way, and God even uses him to raise the dead. All of this happens before the great showdown at Mount Carmel. Elijah is able to trust God to send fire from heaven, and he defeats Ahab's pagan prophets. Then God sends the rain. What an awesome display of the power of God! The immediate reaction of the people was to worship God as the only true God. Their focus was not on the miracle, but on the God behind the miracle. That is how God always wants it to be with His signs to us. We should see the sign and turn to God.
You might wonder at this point, "why does God not do these things today or why does He not do things like this through me?" Part of the answer is in your heart. Do you trust God each day like Elijah? Does God know that He can trust you? The other part of the answer lies with God. God is the one who chooses the miracle to fit the situation. Maybe God did not choose to do a miracle through your life. However, sometimes we don't put ourselves in the position to need a miracle. Elijah did what God told him to do in facing the prophets of Baal. In response to his obedience God worked a miracle. God got Elijah into that situation, so He would get him out. He will do the same for you and me, if we are willing to follow Him into those kinds of situations.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 19,20.