2 Kings 1:15
"And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king."
After Elijah has called down fire from Heaven, not once, but twice, to destroy a troop of fifty soldiers each time, after he stated that fire would be proof of his status as a man of God, after all the amazing miracles Elijah had seen prior to this, from Mount Carmel to food in the wilderness, to the provision for the widow and the bringing back of her son to life, after all of this, God's angel still reminds Elijah, "be not afraid of him". Most of us would probably like to think that after a life like Elijah's, there would be absolutely nothing that could scare us. No situation or mere mortal man could pose a threat because we know God is on our side.
However Elijah still had to be reminded not to fear. Possibly one of the most powerful verses in the Bible explains why:
James 5:17
"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months."
The phrase "subject to like passions" means suffering the like with another. Elijah was no super human. He loved, feared, got angry, felt sadness and depression in the exact same way that every single other human being through the history of the universe has. Yet behold what God did through Elijah.
James uses the illustration of Elijah directly after this phrase, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
When we are righteous through Christ and pray fervently and effectually, God can use us like He used Elijah. Do I truly believe that today?
Friday, August 26, 2016
Fire
2 Kings 1:13-14
"And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight."
This is truly an incredible story from history. We often hear and all know about Elijah calling down fire on Mount Carmel, however this event is seldom heard.
The most striking aspect of this is Elijah's closeness with God. The Bible makes clear that when we abide in God, and His desires are so close to our heart that they meld into one, we will make requests based on those desires, that are His desires, and He will answer. Elijah's relationship with God is unlike anything we've seen in our time.
DL Moody once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him." God's power of limitless and He looks to work through His children if they will only surrender and aside.
Would I desire a life like Elijah's?
"And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight."
This is truly an incredible story from history. We often hear and all know about Elijah calling down fire on Mount Carmel, however this event is seldom heard.
The most striking aspect of this is Elijah's closeness with God. The Bible makes clear that when we abide in God, and His desires are so close to our heart that they meld into one, we will make requests based on those desires, that are His desires, and He will answer. Elijah's relationship with God is unlike anything we've seen in our time.
DL Moody once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him." God's power of limitless and He looks to work through His children if they will only surrender and aside.
Would I desire a life like Elijah's?
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
All That His Father Had Done
1 Kings 22:53
"For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done."
We all have an influence on the people around us whether we realize it or not. However the influence of a father is possibly one of the most profound influences, especially in the life of a son. The legacy of a father is so important.
Ahab was wicked and did evil in God's sight. The debauchery of Baal was promoted and encouraged. He allowed his wife to lie, steal and murder on his behalf. He despised God's prophets and allowed many to be killed for telling the truth. This was his fatherly legacy. This was the corruption handed down to his son.
Though I may not be a father, my legacy is something to take very seriously. What would my son's life look like if patterned after my own?
"For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done."
We all have an influence on the people around us whether we realize it or not. However the influence of a father is possibly one of the most profound influences, especially in the life of a son. The legacy of a father is so important.
Ahab was wicked and did evil in God's sight. The debauchery of Baal was promoted and encouraged. He allowed his wife to lie, steal and murder on his behalf. He despised God's prophets and allowed many to be killed for telling the truth. This was his fatherly legacy. This was the corruption handed down to his son.
Though I may not be a father, my legacy is something to take very seriously. What would my son's life look like if patterned after my own?
The Lord Hath Not Spoken to Me
1 Kings 22:28
"And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you."
The truth does not fear testing. Micaiah was facing prison, deprivation, and potential humiliation, yet he boldly proclaimed the unpopular truth because it was the right thing to do. Truth does not fear the light, it invites skepticism and questioning.
How often does it seem that those who are truly, boldly honest are the ones who are punished? All the while, the wicked, those who lie and deceive appear to get off totally free. This can be discouraging, as we see in the Psalms, David cries out to God regularly about this issue. Why do the wicked prosper? How long oh Lord?
But we know that the wicked will receive their reward. We know the boldly honest too will receive their reward. The question is, do you want to endure trials now with hope of eternal reward? Or would you rather have pleasure now with no hope for the future and the knowledge that punishment awaits?
The decision is yours.
"And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you."
The truth does not fear testing. Micaiah was facing prison, deprivation, and potential humiliation, yet he boldly proclaimed the unpopular truth because it was the right thing to do. Truth does not fear the light, it invites skepticism and questioning.
How often does it seem that those who are truly, boldly honest are the ones who are punished? All the while, the wicked, those who lie and deceive appear to get off totally free. This can be discouraging, as we see in the Psalms, David cries out to God regularly about this issue. Why do the wicked prosper? How long oh Lord?
But we know that the wicked will receive their reward. We know the boldly honest too will receive their reward. The question is, do you want to endure trials now with hope of eternal reward? Or would you rather have pleasure now with no hope for the future and the knowledge that punishment awaits?
The decision is yours.
But I Hate Him
1 Kings 22:8
"And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so."
Do I love truth? No matter where it comes from, no matter what it says about me, no matter what it may change in my life, no matter how uncomfortable it may make me, do I love truth no matter what?
Ahab didn't hate Micaiah because he lied or cheated. Ahab despised this prophet because Ahab didn't like what Micaiah had to say, because it made Ahab uncomfortable. No one likes to hear bad things about themselves, no one likes to hear that evil is coming because of sin. But when the truth is painful, it is often when we need it the most.
Do I love truth, no matter what?
"And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so."
Do I love truth? No matter where it comes from, no matter what it says about me, no matter what it may change in my life, no matter how uncomfortable it may make me, do I love truth no matter what?
Ahab didn't hate Micaiah because he lied or cheated. Ahab despised this prophet because Ahab didn't like what Micaiah had to say, because it made Ahab uncomfortable. No one likes to hear bad things about themselves, no one likes to hear that evil is coming because of sin. But when the truth is painful, it is often when we need it the most.
Do I love truth, no matter what?
Seest Thou How Ahab Humbleth Himself?
1 Kings 21:25, 29
"But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.... Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house."
There is no word that can fully encompass the depth and magnitude of God's unfathomable mercy. After stating plainly that Ahab was unlike any other on his wanton wickedness, selling himself in order that he might work evil in God's sight (in other words, not trying to hide it at all, but throwing it rebelliously in God's face), after all that, despite all that, God showed mercy on this wicked king.
The consequences of sin remain and the punishment was still dealt. However because of his humility, Ahab himself was spared. This truly is incredible.
Today, dwell on God's mercy. Think back on the sins He has forgiven, the sins He has borne and taken your punishment for. How can I say thank you today?
"But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.... Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house."
There is no word that can fully encompass the depth and magnitude of God's unfathomable mercy. After stating plainly that Ahab was unlike any other on his wanton wickedness, selling himself in order that he might work evil in God's sight (in other words, not trying to hide it at all, but throwing it rebelliously in God's face), after all that, despite all that, God showed mercy on this wicked king.
The consequences of sin remain and the punishment was still dealt. However because of his humility, Ahab himself was spared. This truly is incredible.
Today, dwell on God's mercy. Think back on the sins He has forgiven, the sins He has borne and taken your punishment for. How can I say thank you today?
Sold Thyself
1 Kings 21:20
"And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD."
The pleasures of evil always come with a far heavier price. This price outweighs any perceived benefit of sin. God established the rules of the universe, and the price that will be paid when they are broken.
Elijah, speaking God's words, says that Ahab sold himself in order to perform this evil. What was the value of the vineyard? What kind of vineyard would be worth selling your self to evil?
As Jesus said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Matthew 16:25-26
When Ahab died, that precious vineyard passed on to another person. But his soul has already been sold, and there was little hope of redemption.
What is my soul worth to me?
"And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD."
The pleasures of evil always come with a far heavier price. This price outweighs any perceived benefit of sin. God established the rules of the universe, and the price that will be paid when they are broken.
Elijah, speaking God's words, says that Ahab sold himself in order to perform this evil. What was the value of the vineyard? What kind of vineyard would be worth selling your self to evil?
As Jesus said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Matthew 16:25-26
When Ahab died, that precious vineyard passed on to another person. But his soul has already been sold, and there was little hope of redemption.
What is my soul worth to me?
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