Their God Is on Vacation - Is Yours?
Usually when we think about G-d, or specifically a god, we have in mind someone who is bigger, more powerful than us, someone who neither slumbers nor sleeps, someone who is always there for us - a god that will not go on vacation, but can deliver when called upon. Unfortunately, the nation of Israel in the days of Elijah found out like many other nations then and today, that if you do not serve the G-d of Abraham, you might be in trouble when you must hear from your god. Listen to the word: "So they...called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "Baal, answer us!" But there was no sound; no one answered. Then they did their lame dance around the altar. At noon Elijah mocked them. He said, "Shout loudly, for he's a god! Maybe he's thinking it over; maybe he has wandered away; or maybe he's on the road. Perhaps he's sleeping and will wake up!" They shouted loudly, and cut themselves with knives and spears... until blood gushed out on them. All afternoon, they kept on raving until the offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no sound, no one answered, and no one paid attention. (I Kings 18:26-29)
What a horrible sight to behold! Apparently Baal was not into dancing; that didn't touch him. Neither was he into big crowds; that did not move him either. No matter what they did, nothing would awaken this fellow. Needless to say, we all know he is not G-d. But yet people rendered him worship as if he was G-d. This is a backslidden worship type that will not fly off with the true G-d. "How long are you limping over two opinions? If Jehovah is God, follow Him." (V 21) Make up your mind! If you profess to serve the true G-d, do it whole heartedly. Remember, He is the only G-d who does not need a vacation. We don't need to cut ourselves until blood gushes out of our bodies. He is the G-d of the Covenant, the G-d that will never lie or repent of His word. He is the G-d that speaks and makes it good. (Numbers 23:19) He is the G-d that we can call upon and He will answer us. He will be with us in trouble; He will rescue you and honor you, and satisfy us with long life. (Psalm 91:15,16) Let's take our G-d serious, and repair the altar of our lives in case it is broken; (V 30) let's invoke the name of the Lord and remember that He will always respond with fire (power) V 39, when His people call upon His name. After all, this is what His heart desires: "When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and said, "The LORD, He is God! Who are you serving today?
In His service, your fellow servant, Pr. Paul Santos