June 11
1 Kings 17:8-20:22
We find ourselves in the midst of a battle between good and evil, but the overwhelming multitudes do not realize this. We don't realize this because we are too busy fighting with each other, but we read in Ephesians 6:12, " For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Though God sees only two groupings: those who are saved or who belong to Him, and those who don't; functioning in this world are three groups: those who have committed their lives to the Lord, those who have given their lives to evil, and the vast multitudes who stand on the sidelines not realizing that their indecision is really a decision apart from God. Those committed to God may find themselves alone, attacked, marginalized, misrepresented, etc. This should not surprise them because those who are committed to God, though they live in the world, do not belong to this world. There are many who loudly push forth an evil agenda: pushing for removing any and all obstacles for abortion, pushing the godless LGBTQ agenda everywhere, even to the youngest in our schools, pushing agendas which are contrary to the things of God. But the majority simply stand on the side and simply want ease and comfort, and will jump on any wagon which accomplishes this. These are lukewarm individuals who in reality stand for nothing. Some will call them "posers". They might be silent, they might get swept up emotionally into one movement or another, but in reality they simply live day to day for themselves and for their comforts.
In our reading today we see Elijah who was firmly committed to the Lord. Notice this choice often comes with it's hardships on this earth: he was commanded to get by for a season in solitude receiving his daily provisions from a brook and some birds, then when the brook dried up he goes to a widow who initially rejects him, then after accepting him in, the widow's only son dies, then he is confronted by the evil king who wrongly places the blame onto Elijah, then after a successful, albeit brief mountaintop experience, he is threatened with his life by the evil queen and flees into the desert. We have King Ahab, who is firmly committed to evil. He marries an evil woman, and together they lead the entire nation of Israel away from God, elevating the worship of false deities. But notice Elijah's comments after he challenges the evil prophets of Baal and Asherah to a contest on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18:20-21, "So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. 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." Not wanting to commit, wavering between two opposing sides waiting to figure out which one will satisfy their earthly lives the best, they choose to remain silent. Jesus described the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-16, " “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!"
Following God is a choice which must be made. You can't simply be like tofu and absorb whatever you like for the moment. If you don't make a choice for the Lord, you might deem yourselves open-minded, or middle of the road, but God is not fooled like the rest of the world is. Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, "Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me." Those who might seem popular now, espousing views contrary to God's word, elevated by the media, by big tech, etc., will have their season in the spotlight and enjoy their brief time of fame, fortune, pleasure, power, etc. But God is not fooled, and He is always in charge, even when it seems like He is quiet. Just like Elijah heard Him "in that still small voice", God is speaking to His own right now. For the many who prefer to "play it safe", the moment of indecision is over. Decide!! There is so much more to life than meets the eye. Eternity is real and your destination requires a decision. All who decide on Jesus, will one day get to enjoy heaven with Him. All who choose evil, along with the multitudes who thought they were playing it safe by remaining indecisive, hanging in the middle, remaining open-minded will spend eternity in hell in eternal separation from God. Please make the choice for Jesus today, and encourage others to make that choice also.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: