Week 22: Israel's Many Kings

I can't say that I've ever read first or second Kings. And both Chronicles and Kings record Israel's many kings. Buried within the revolving door of kings in both Israel and Judah is the story of Elijah. Elijah is one of the remaining faithful to God. The continual misdirection of the kings has led the people of Israel to turn their backs on the God of Jacob. Elijah listens and goes where the Lord send him in order to work in the hearts and minds of the people.

In a very dramatic fashion Elisha challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest of who's god is stronger (1 Kings 18:1-40)? The challenge is to have the true god light a sacrifice on fire. Needless to say, God demonstrated his mighty power by not only sending fire to burn up the sacrifice, but the altar that it was offered on. Baal forgot to show up that day. While God's power was made unbelievably real that day, people still did not believe and Elijah ends up fleeing.

It continues to strike me how similar we are to the people in the old testament. We are hit over and over again with God's faithfulness and we continue to choose to put our faith and trust in false gods such as money, or the security of human relationships. I know that I struggle with this misplaced faith as well. I pray that I don't need to have a column of fire come from heaven for me to see that God is in control. I pray that I give thanks even for the things that I do not understand and give my control over to God.

"...Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you."
2 Chronicles 15:2