In 1 Kings 18, we read of an incredible showdown between God and the false god Baal. It sets up like many professional sports events today, with a pre-showdown press conference and getting the spectators to the arena. In professional sports, this usually occurs at a large stadium or an arena in a large city with live spectators and cameras everywhere broadcasting worldwide. In the Old Testament, where we find this recording, there isn’t an arena but a mountain, and there are cameras everywhere: just the words written in the Bible. On the team, we find several different people. On God’s team, there is one man, a Prophet named Elijah; on the other team, 450 prophets of Baal. At a quick glance, it appears that these teams might be a little stacked in favor of Baal; however, at this moment, we will witness who the real God is. After the crowd has assembled, Elijah has something to say.
Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing (1 Kings 18:21).
God here is fighting a battle to show his people who have abandoned him again that there is only one option… Be on God’s team or be on the losing team. God had a plan for his special people but required them to choose him wholeheartedly. The people of Israel at this time were unwilling to give their entirety to God. Because of their failure, there were troubled times ahead. Today we have the same choice facing us, give ourselves completely to God or split our attention and lose the greatest gift ever attainable, life walking side by side with God for all eternity. Today, I encourage you to read the account in 1 Kings 18, align yourself with the only true God, and live for him.
By Christian Frans