• Apologetics
  
• Arts Ministry
  
• Children's Ministry
  
• Evangelism
  
• Pastors
  
• Worship
  

Send this page to a friend

For several hundred years, the people of Israel had been attracted to a false god named Baal. It seemed like every generation was tempted into worshipping this god. Baal represented strength and fertility and was often worshipped along with the goddess Asherah.

Elijah was God's chosen spokesman - His prophet. The time had come for a direct confrontation between Elijah and the many false prophets of Baal. "Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal." (1 Kings 18:19).

Elijah and the false prophets were to pray to their respective gods; the "winner" would be determined by the answer to the prayer. "You call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire - He is God." (1 Kings 18:24). But prior to calling on the Lord, Elijah gave a challenge to the people of Israel.

1 Kings 18:21
"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him."

Elijah prayed, and God answered with enough power to remove all doubt. The people clearly saw the hand of the Lord and readily made their choice: "The Lord - He is God! The Lord - He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39).

We face the same challenge today. However, instead of two or three choices, we now have many gods which tempt us into worship - many gods who desire our time and energy. The world offers a long list of "worthy" candidates - television, money, power, prestige, sex, drugs, food, sports, internet, education...the list goes on. "These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens." (Jeremiah 10:11).

The challenge today is simple. If the Lord is God - follow Him. If we have recognized our sinful condition, repented, and asked Jesus to be our Savior, we must continue by being transformed into His likeness - we must follow Him. We cannot allow the "distractions" in life to become our god. We must devote our heart, soul, mind, and strength to loving our Heavenly Father; and commit ourselves to whatever tasks He has given us to accomplish. Our choice is clear; and our response must be decisive. The Lord is God - Follow Him!

Copyright 2002, Steve Troxel. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

About Steve Troxel: Steve Troxel is the President of God's Daily Word Ministries. Steve was trained as an Electrical Engineer and received his PhD in 1994. After working as a researcher in a laser laboratory for several years, Steve felt the call from God to leave his trained profession and enter into full-time ministry. His devotionals are now sent around the world via email as well as distributed in book format. More information about this ministry as will as a "sign-up" page can be found at: http://www.godsdailyword.org

Send this page to a friend: