Journey Thru The Bible! (1 Kings 16 - 18)

Click on the Scripture above to read today's Bible text!

I know I'm behind in my blog! With 3 grandchildren here at the house, Easter this weekend, and the tax season wrapping up, I've been overloaded with responsibility and have had to put this blog on hold until today. I might take me a couple of days to get back on track. Thank you for your understanding!

First of all, I'd like to say "Hi!" to Patrick Brennan for following faithfully! And, thanks to all of you who do!!! Pat just called me the other day and told me that he follows it every day....wow...thanks bro! So...I'd like to just say "thank you to him and to all of you who follow this blog!"

Here are a few thoughts from today's text...

1) Israel splits into two parts! If you remember, Israel split from the tribe of Judah a few chapters ago. Now, in chapter 16, Israel splits even farther (16:21). Israel is no longer interested in God. They are ruled by wicked kings and are seeking to be like other nations!

The sad part is that Israel's leadership has been influenced by the pagan nations around them. Instead of influencing other nations and promoting God and righteous living, the godless people around them have promoted their god, and Israel has bought it hook, line, and sinker!

This is also what happens to so many Christians today! Instead of influencing the world, they are influenced by the world. Instead of promoting God, they succumb to the teachings and philosophies of the devil! Instead of fighting against pornography, homosexuality, abortion, and the moral decline we continually see in our country, they simply sit around and do nothing about it! May the Lord stir our hearts to get involved in some way!

2) Israel's most wicked king comes to the scene! Ahab is defined in Scripture as Israel's most wicked king. He did more to fight against God and promote wickedness and spiritual rebellion that any other king before or after him (16:30, 33)! In spite of his wickedness, you will read in the next few chapters how God continued to show him mercy and make an attempt to reveal Himself to Ahab....but Ahab was too spiritually insensitive to accept Him!

We often see God doing the same thing today! God loves everyone and has a desire that everyone come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. However, God knows how wicked man's heart is, and He understands and realizes that not everyone will respond to His tender loving call. In fact, when we read the book of Revelation and see how God causes great calamity in the end times, we also see just how rebellious man is! In spite of the fact that the entire world recognizes that God is casting His judgment on the earth and on man, man will still shake his fist in defiance to God!

3) Elijah trusts God in spite of the impossibilities! The first amazing act of Elijah's faith in God is when God commands him to go and live near the Kerith brook and be fed by ravens. Imagine this! During one of the most horrible droughts of Israel's history, God drives Elijah to a brook that is quickly drying up. Plus, it's in a part of the country that's desert, therefore God must feed him by ravens bringing him food everyday!

Secondly, God sends Elijah to a widow who is to support and feed him, however she's financially busted and is fixing her last meal so her and her baby could die! God is continuously sending Elijah towards tasks of impossibility! He must TRUST in God. And, he does!

Thirdly, God causes the widow's child to die, wherewith the woman blames Elijah! But, Elijah, confused by the turn of events, prays over the child and he revives!

Fourthly, God sends Elijah to King Ahab who desires nothing less than to kill him! But, God spares Elijah's life, even as he challenges Ahab and 850 false prophets to a "duo of the Gods" on the top of Mount Carmel.

Are you trusting God like Elijah?

4) The greatest revival in the world happens on the top of a mountain! Chapter 18 is an amazing story! It tells of the "duo of the Gods." Elijah proves that the God of Israel is the only true god...period. History tells us that more than 1 million people watched this incredible encounter. And, in unison, they fell on their faces and cried out, "The Lord is God!"

Have a great Easter weekend celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ!