O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again. I Kings 18:36-37
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Elijah challenged 450 Baal worshippers to a contest. Elijah and the Priests of Baal would put up two altars complete with offerings and whichever, Baal or Jehovah, would call down fire from Heaven onto the sacrifice was the real God. Elijah was confident that it would be Jehovah because he was doing what Jehovah commanded him to do. Today our faith in God is on trial more than ever before. God has given us commands too. Not a command to call fire down from Heaven but to live our Christian life out in front of the world. God’s great compassion must be exhibited through our lives. As we love others, in the name of Christ, they see the love He has for them. How can we do anything else? We who were snatched from our sinfulness, brokenness and alienation from God, how could we not love others and pray for them to know God in the same way we do? Elijah cries out to God in a broken voice and says, “Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Do our hearts weep over those that do not know Him? Do we live our life so that others would see our life and recognize the Savior’s influence? Oh that God’s holy fire would fall from the sky today through our acts of love and kindness. Might He receive the Glory and might people turn to Him.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, like Elijah, I come to the altar of sacrifice. Might You use me today to love, to sacrifice, and care for those in need. Might others see my life today and come to know You, the true and living God. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN