Message Title: Representatives of Christ
Date: Saturday April 14, 2012
Today's Chapters: 1 Kings 16-18
Hello My Friend,
As Christian's we are representatives of Christ, that means we have a big responsibility and challenge to show those who live in the world just how important it is to know Jesus Christ. On top of that we are to be examples for them to follow so they can see that putting their faith in Him is more profitable than anything anyone can ever receive here on earth. Our attitude, words, and actions must declare to all that God alone is our true and infallible Source of all our needs. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand...And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus...Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you...Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account...But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5,7,9,17,19.
Not one king from the Northern Kingdom followed God, in fact, each king became more ruthless and evil then the last. After reading about one wicked king after another we learn about Ahab. Ahab, was one of the most powerful kings ever to rule the Northern Kingdom, he was also married to one of the wickedest women of all time, Jezebel. “And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of JerOBoam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.” - 1 Kings 16:30-33.
As a result of his marriage to Jezebel, who promoted the worship of Baal, Ahab allowed her influence to rule the kingdom and introduced her worship of Baal as the religion of the nation. This was followed by fierce persecution of those worshiping God and the killing of His prophets. As representatives of Christ, we are often persecuted as well, you can talk about God all day long and people will agree to some extent, the reason being, they chose the god they want to believe. The second you mention Jesus, it is as if time bomb was set off, they are ready to attack. Why? Jesus is God, He is truth, people hate the convictions that truth brings them. “Blessed arethey which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great isyour reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” - Matthew 5:10-12.
The people knew that if anyone got caught worshiping God they would be executed, ordered by Jezebel herself. Regardless, there were a few who stood by their faith, continued to worship only God, boldly declaring they would only worship the one and only True God. Elijah, a prophet, who lived in the Southern Kingdom, was sent by God to warn Ahab of the drought that was about to take place because of the wickedness that he brought upon and allowed his people to partake in. “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.” - 1 Kings 17:1-4.
There indeed was no rain for three years, Elijah's faith in God kept him fed and from dehydration while the drought overtook the land. While we cannot avoid being in the tribulations of the world as a result of our leaders provoking God we do not have to fear nor worry what will come of us because God always provides for and takes care of His people. Jesus reminds us, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” - Matthew 6:25,26.
Another man that we learn of who stood by his faith in God was Ahab's governor, OBadiah. Upon looking for grass to feed the livestock, OBadiah ran into Elijah, who had a request of him, tell Ahab, I want to meet with him. “And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here...And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day. So OBadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.” - 1 Kings 18:9-11,15,16..
OBadiah feared for his life, he knew that if he went to Ahab and told him that Elijah was in town that he would face execution for even talking to him. However, he faced his fears and Elijah promised him that everything would be fine. The reason why Elijah wanted to meet with Ahab was to challenge him. “And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.” - 1 Kings 18:17-19.
Elijah gathered up all the people and challenged the four hundred and fifty false prophets to call on Baal to prove that their god existed. For a full day Jezebel's prophets frantically called upon the name of Baal with no success. Elijah mocked them, they even went as far as cutting themselves, hollering and screaming for Baal to answer them. Then Elijah called all the people to him, “And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down...And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood...And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.” - 1 Kings 18:30,33,36-39.
Elijah illustrates how the power of God is released when we trust, remain faithful to Him, are OBedient to His Word, and simply ask Him for the things we need. As representatives of Christ, God often allows us to face unusual and difficult situations in order to show the world that He is the only living and Almighty God. We can overcome them all by our trust, faith, and simply believing in our Lord Jesus Christ. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” - John 14:1,12-14.
Today's Psalm: 118:6 - “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”
Today's Proverb: 8:35 - “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall OBtain favour of the LORD.”
Today's Prayer: God, As I try to live my life the way You want me to live there are many difficulties, people, challenges, and struggles that are constantly trying to take my eyes off You and on them. God, I know that all things will come to pass and that You will lead me to great things by remaining faithful to You. Lord, give me faith that not only moves mountains, but crushes them, help me to become completely dependent upon You for everything. Give me Your strength, wisdom, and guidance to get through this day trusting, believing, and knowing that You will give me everything I need and desire. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be. Visit: God's Price
Missed A Devotional? Visit: The King James Bible Study Blog
Subscribe To This Devotional Through Google Groups: King James Bible Study
Visit The Official Site Of: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
- Read more...
- 0 comments
- 1,187 views
