The Lord - He Is God!

"Today's Devotion" For May 14, 2007

Read: I Kings 18:16-39; II Corinthians 13:1-11

THE LORD - HE IS GOD!

"When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!'" (I Kings 18:39)

There's an old story about a Sunday school teacher and the account of the Prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal. She was explaining how Elijah had challenged the priests to see who was stronger, Baal and all their other gods or the God of Israel, who saves. To that end, as we read in I Kings above, altars were built for the sacrifices of young bulls and it was first the turn of the priests of Baal. They prayed and prayed and prayed, entreating their gods to send fire down and take the offering they were giving. The failed and failed miserably.

It was then Elijah's turn. He took a young bull, slaughtered it and laid it on the altar he had built of twelve stones. He dug a trench around it and then told those who were helping him to fill four large jars with water and dump them over the bull, the altar, and all the wood for the fire. So they did so three times. It was at this point the teacher paused in her retelling of the Biblical account. She asked if anyone in the class could explain why the Lord had Elijah pour water over the bull on the altar. Certainly it was an unusual thing to do. At that a little girl's hand went up in the back of the room, "I know! I know!," she said. "God had Elijah pour all that water on the bull so he could make gravy!"

We all know the end of the story. Elijah prayed and God sent fire from heaven that consumed everything - the bull, the stones, the wood, the water, and even the dirt. The people saw it and responded, "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!" (I Kings 18:39). Obviously He wasn't "making gravy" but He was sending a clear message; a message no one could fail to understand.

We don't live in the days of the Prophets or Apostles. They're long gone. Yet the message from God that they brought to humanity is that God is the Lord and He saves His people. While the people of Israel were fooled into believing the prophets of Baal and worshiping all sorts of false gods, the true God was still watching over them and sending His Prophets, like Elijah, to remind them that "The Lord - He is God!" It's a reminder we need in the world today as well. There are so many conflicting claims as to the "way of salvation" - money, power, the right government, personal charisma, might, political will and accomplishment. Yet all these have nothing but the same false allure the people of Israel were confronted with by turning to Baal worship and forsaking God.

God's promise of salvation isn't found in the power human beings might wield, or in the power of armies, the charisma of politicians, or the overthrow of capitalism, communism, fascism, or any other of the "isms" fighting for prominence in the world. God's promise of salvation is found in the power and foolishness of the Cross of Christ, the sacrifice of God-made-flesh on that Cross to redeem the world from Sin, Satan, and the Law which condemns before God. God's promise of salvation isn't to be found in an earthly kingdom or a powerful Church, but in the simple, wondrous gift of faith in Christ as Lord and Savior - an act of God's pure grace and unmerited favor because He loves the world. In that gift of faith we have life and hope, peace and joy. In that gift of faith in Jesus we have a message of hope and peace to share with the whole world. In that gift of faith in Jesus we are no longer double-minded, for we know the truth that sets us free. In that gift of faith in Jesus we live each day with the firm conviction that "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!"

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so often led down the primrose path of destructive behavior as I'm enticed by the world's wiles and false promises of power, prestige, wealth, comfort, and peace. All around me I see the pain and sorrow caused by Sin and sinful people, but I also find myself looking for salvation from these things in people, government, society, and programs. Forgive me, gracious Lord, for so often failing to recognize that my peace and hope, and the peace and the hope of the world can only be found in Your love and forgiveness. Forgive me for so often forgetting that Jesus reminded His disciples that the kingdom of heaven is among us, but it's not a physical kingdom but a heavenly one. By the power of Your Word and Spirit continue to fill me with Your peace and forgiveness. Strengthen me with Your love and hope, and give me the courage and purpose to daily live for Jesus and share Him with everyone I meet. May my life, both in word and deed, thought and purpose, be a living testimony that shouts, "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!" for everyone to hear. In Jesus' precious name I ask this. Amen.
********************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2007 by Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.