If the LORD Is God, Follow Him

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If  the LORD  Is God,  Follow Him

Our desire  to have our own way  —  in spite of God’s clear directions  —  ruins us.     Knowing the right way,  and refusing to do it,  hardens our hearts  and puts us  on the path  to eternal destruction.

That is what was happening  in the account found  in 1 Kings 18.     Ahab was king.     Israel was stubbornly worshiping idols  and committing all sorts  of sins.     The prophet Elijah had been  in hiding  because they were trying  to kill him.     But,  upon God’s command,  Elijah presented himself  to King Ahab  and told him  to gather the 450 prophets  of Baal  and 400 prophets  of the Asherah,  and to meet him  at Mount Carmel.     Ahab did so.

Then,  in 1 Kings 18:21,  Elijah said,

How long  will you hesitate  between two opinions?     If the LORD  is God,  follow Him;  but if Baal,  follow him.”

Everyone was quiet.     Then Elijah proposed  a test  between the idolatrous prophets  and himself  to determine  the true God.     Each side was  to prepare  an oxen  for a sacrifice  and pray  to their god/God  to send fire  from heaven  to consume the sacrifice.     The God  who answers  by fire  would be  the true God.

Fair enough.     The people liked the idea  —  prepared their sacrifice,  and prayed hard  all day,  even cutting themselves  to show their devotion  to Baal  and the Asherah.     No fire  came down  to burn their sacrifice.

Then Elijah  rebuilt  the altar  for the LORD  —  made a ditch all around it  —  and soaked everything  with water.     At the time  of the evening sacrifice,  Elijah prayed.     The fire  of the LORD  immediately consumed the sacrifice,  wood,  stones,  water,  and dust.     In 1 Kings 18:39,  the people fell  on their faces  and declared,

The LORD,  He is God;  the LORD,  He is God.

God had  never stopped  being God.     The people had just  willfully wanted  to follow their own lusts.     In that moment Elijah had them all seized  and killed.

But,  what about today?     So many  are waffling between faith  in the LORD  and their desires  for the world.     It shouldn’t be a hard decision  —  If the LORD  is God,  follow Him.     All creation  and the fulfilled prophecies  for a Savior  prove the LORD is God.

In glad praise,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  thank You  for showing us  Your truths.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect, but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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