Devotional - Feb. 19, 2025
Scripture: 1 Kings: 16: 29-31 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship him.
Prophets appear when things go south... No not toward Miami, but awry... To see how far Ahab goes, continue to read the rest of chapter sixteen. Why would he do so? Why do any of us let our worldly desire prevail over our devotion to God? The fact that we struggle is normal. Ignoring the call of God to return (Hebrews 3:15), not so good. Ahab had lost his way as the king of Israel and God roused Elijah to action. Another word that can be used for prophets is "seer". They both see things as God sees things and are open to God's revelation. It is not by chance that a prophet is called. God doesn't pull a name from the hat and say, "that one." Elijah saw what was happening in Israel and prayed ardently that it would not rain (James 5:17). Why did he pray for that and not something else? At the time, the center of Israel's commerce, and life for that matter, was agriculture. Baal was the god of the harvest, amongst other things. It was thought that Baal controlled the weather. What does Elijah's name mean? YHWH is God. Elijah was calling out to God to show Israel, YHWH was God, and the Controller of all. If God stopped the rain, and Baal could not start it again... Then, Israel would know Who is in control. Who they should worship. But many of them, like Ahab, liked Baal worship. It was full of festivals and fun. Unlike the worship of YHWH, which was full of festivals and fun too, but it also called them to live good and righteous lives in community with their God. Elijah was not letting Israel go down the wrong path, at least on his watch. Elijah would cry out and pray, and by way of his declaration (1 Kings 17:1), fulfill his calling, his name. We too at times must adhere to who we are as Christians, even when we may be tempted otherwise. During those temptations, all the theological knowledge in the world will not sway your heart. No, we face those moments with prayer, through our faith, through our relationship with Jesus Christ. And even then, we may still teeter a bit. But know that even then, God sends assistance in many ways, some direct like an Elijah, some subtle, ...take hold of it (1 Corinthians 10:13). You will be glad you did (Romans 8:6).
Pray with me..., Holy God, Your mercies make a way for us. Continue to work Your will and Your ways into us. Send us reminders, when we go astray. Be with our loved ones, our family members, and our church. We pray for Your blessing upon them, in Jesus' name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
