Devotionals for July 18, 2024
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READ
1 KINGS 18:18-21
18 “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. 19 Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.”
20 So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.
18 “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. 19 Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.”
20 So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.
REFLECT
The original Latin word for ‘decide,’ (de-caedere) means ‘to cut off,’ as in slicing away alternatives. It is a close cousin to words like ‘homicide’ (cut off a life), ‘genocide’ (cut off a people group), and ‘regicide’ (cut off a king). In this passage, God is calling a group of people to make a single point in time decision - either follow the Lord or follow Baal. The people in this story did the opposite of deciding - they sat in silence. But in this case, not deciding is still making a choice. And their silence doesn’t make them any less accountable for their choice.
APPLY
Q: If you have time, read the rest of 1 Kings 18. How does God make the decision easier for the people in this passage?
Q: Have you decided to follow Jesus? If not, what’s holding you back?
Q: Is there someone you know who is sitting on the fence, considering Jesus but unwilling to make a decision? Reach out to them and encourage them to choose to love and serve God today!
Q: Have you decided to follow Jesus? If not, what’s holding you back?
Q: Is there someone you know who is sitting on the fence, considering Jesus but unwilling to make a decision? Reach out to them and encourage them to choose to love and serve God today!
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, you have given me the ultimate gift - forgiveness of sin through the perfect life and unmerited death of your Son on the cross. There is no other way to be forgiven. I come to you, confessing that You are holy and that I am not, declaring my faith in Jesus as your Son and my Savior, and asking you to forgive me and make me holy.
Lord, you have given me the ultimate gift - forgiveness of sin through the perfect life and unmerited death of your Son on the cross. There is no other way to be forgiven. I come to you, confessing that You are holy and that I am not, declaring my faith in Jesus as your Son and my Savior, and asking you to forgive me and make me holy.