May 4, 2006 - I Kings 16-18 and Luke 22:47-71
Because of the sinful nature and the flesh, it is tendency of all people to drift farther and farther from God unless they make a conscious effort to grow closer to Him. That is why I have said many times that we can't stay the same spiritually. We are either growing in the Lord, or we are drifting away. That is why we must pay attention to our relationship with God every day. This passage is a great example of this truth.
Chapter 16 shows us how things became worse and worse in Israel until Ahab became king. Ahab was married to the pagan, Jezebel, and they led Israel to new spiritual lows. God punished them with a severe famine, which He used Elijah, the prophet, to announce to them. All the while the country was mired in the famine, God was blessing Elijah and the widow. Because of their faith, God was sustaining them, and they were growing closer to God. Ahab was rebelling more and more in his idolatry. We can see this in the world around us today. The unbelievers are becoming even more drastic in their disdain for God, while the believers are remaining faithful under God's care.
Finally, God brings the famine to an end in a huge showdown on Mount Carmel. When the fire fell, there was no question about who was the One True God. God proved Himself to Israel. Then, they had to decide to trust Him. He sent the rain to show His mercy to them and that they had a second chance to follow Him. That is how God works. When we drift from Him, He comes to us in power to reveal Himself to us. Then, we have a decision. Will we continue on our way, or will we trust Him? Sadly, some people continue in their sin, even after the fire falls. Where is your life now? Are you getting closer to God or farther away? It is up to you. God would love to have a daily, growing love relationship with you.
Look at Luke 22 in this light. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. He had intimate access to Jesus, but he had grown apart from Him. Jesus did not reject Judas, but Judas rejected Jesus. The crowds came to arrest Jesus in the dark, because they were afraid, and their deeds were evil. (v.53) They could have gone to Jesus any time in public, but their hearts were set on sin, not on seeking Him. Peter denied Jesus, and what happened? Jesus looked at him. (v.61) What does that mean to us? Jesus was not rejecting Peter, it was Peter who had denied Jesus. Now, Peter could return to Jesus at any time. This is even true of the Sanhedrin. Jesus revealed Himself to them one more time, even though He knew they would not believe Him. (v.67) He would have accepted any of them, who would turn to Him, but they did not. What will you do today? Will you go your way, which is farther from Jesus, or will you draw near to His outstretched arms.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 19-20 and Luke 23:1-25.
Chapter 16 shows us how things became worse and worse in Israel until Ahab became king. Ahab was married to the pagan, Jezebel, and they led Israel to new spiritual lows. God punished them with a severe famine, which He used Elijah, the prophet, to announce to them. All the while the country was mired in the famine, God was blessing Elijah and the widow. Because of their faith, God was sustaining them, and they were growing closer to God. Ahab was rebelling more and more in his idolatry. We can see this in the world around us today. The unbelievers are becoming even more drastic in their disdain for God, while the believers are remaining faithful under God's care.
Finally, God brings the famine to an end in a huge showdown on Mount Carmel. When the fire fell, there was no question about who was the One True God. God proved Himself to Israel. Then, they had to decide to trust Him. He sent the rain to show His mercy to them and that they had a second chance to follow Him. That is how God works. When we drift from Him, He comes to us in power to reveal Himself to us. Then, we have a decision. Will we continue on our way, or will we trust Him? Sadly, some people continue in their sin, even after the fire falls. Where is your life now? Are you getting closer to God or farther away? It is up to you. God would love to have a daily, growing love relationship with you.
Look at Luke 22 in this light. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. He had intimate access to Jesus, but he had grown apart from Him. Jesus did not reject Judas, but Judas rejected Jesus. The crowds came to arrest Jesus in the dark, because they were afraid, and their deeds were evil. (v.53) They could have gone to Jesus any time in public, but their hearts were set on sin, not on seeking Him. Peter denied Jesus, and what happened? Jesus looked at him. (v.61) What does that mean to us? Jesus was not rejecting Peter, it was Peter who had denied Jesus. Now, Peter could return to Jesus at any time. This is even true of the Sanhedrin. Jesus revealed Himself to them one more time, even though He knew they would not believe Him. (v.67) He would have accepted any of them, who would turn to Him, but they did not. What will you do today? Will you go your way, which is farther from Jesus, or will you draw near to His outstretched arms.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 19-20 and Luke 23:1-25.