In my continuation of reading the 18th, chapter of 1 Kings, the drama explodes. Drama? Oh, yes, drama. God can be dramatic, too, but with zealous purpose because of His love toward us. In verse 21, the challenging question Elijah posed to the people kept them mute. However, in verse 39 of the same chapter, the same people “fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!’”
How climactic is that? After seeing firsthand the powerful move of God through his prophet, Elijah, the people knew as they always had deeply within who the real God is! It was a dramatic move; a powerful demonstration of God’s zeal and the intensity of his passion for his people. We are so fortunate that he extends it to us.
The people had turned their backs on God. They were more concerned with obsessions they had devoted themselves to. Quite frankly, if we aren’t careful we can become just as delusional wavering on who our God, truly is. Power, prestige, position, recognition and even material possessions can become obsessive in our lives and we fail to recognize them as such until God intervenes with his “drama.”
Elijah called out to God during this time in verse 37 of this chapter, “Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” I’ve prayed this prayer for myself, “answer me, Lord, answer me, let me recognize what I must do, what I must change, what I must say, help me, I can’t do it without you, I need you now more than ever.” Drama? No, just heartfelt need of God’s love and assurance that he is there for me, and he always is.
We may not necessarily see “flashes of fire” when we call out as Elijah did, but, God will help us attain what he wants us to do. He is the source of strength and will provide the wherewithal and the resources we need at the moment to get the job done as he did for Elijah. God doesn’t set us up for failure, no, on the contrary he sets us up for successful growth for his honor and his glory. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
ritasalomon 