Daily Devotion, July 2, 2020

Devotion: Read 1 Kings 18:20-39.

We are people who like to have choices. Down through all the generations people like the freedom of choosing what suits them best. In the scripture for today Elijah confronted his people with a choice. Choose the Lord God, or choose King Ahab, his wife Jezebel, and their idol Baal. God had long ago told his people to worship him only, but when King Ahab married Jezebel, a foreign princess, she introduced the worship of her god, Baal, into Israel. Ahab set up an altar and temple for Baal which aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, more than did all the kings of Israel before him. Jezebel began to have the Lord’s prophets killed off. God has now sent the prophet Elijah to put a stop to all of this.

It seems the people wanted to worship both Baal and God. But this angered the Lord, and, through Elijah, God asked the people, “How long will you waver between two opinions?” To that question today someone might respond, “Why choose between two gods? Aren’t they all valid?” But God says, “I am the Lord. I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols”. Elijah challenged the people to see if an idol would answer them. Baal was silent, but God’s power came through as fire consumed the altar and the water around it. The people exclaimed, “The Lord—he is God.

Adult Challenge:

Whom shall you worship as God? The Lord? Your wallet? Your sports team? Your position of power? A political party’s candidate? Do you trust the one and only God as your God? Think about your priorities as you try to live out your faith.

Youth Challenge:

I love this story! Elijah came in with absolute confidence in God. He talked a really big game and nagged them on and even poured water on top of the offering. What may be holding you back from having the same amount of faith and confidence?

Children's Challenge:

• If you are in a suitable location, go outside and douse wood with water and try to light it. Talk about how amazing this miracle was. (Also mention fire safety while you are at it!)
• Discuss what and how you would feel if there was a crowd of hundreds of people who hated God and you stood up, like Elijah, and said that you believed in God.
• As a family, thank God for friends and leaders who help us to stand for God.