I Kings 18:28
“So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them.”
Many aren’t believers as they are afraid of what God would ask of them. They fear they will have to be a missionary or have to do things they don’t want or possibly have to give up something they enjoy.
Another fact which many don’t know is that all of us have a god that we serve. Even if they are an atheist. Bob Dylan said it in one of his songs, “It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” If one wants to get rich, then money is his god. It could be fitness, food, being moral, the environment and so on.
One of the commandments is, “I Am the Lord, thy God. You will have no idols before Me.” God will not share devotion. This is a reason some don’t follow Him. It’s mystified me to watch a mafia movie and some mob member would go to church. But they would kill somebody in the next scene. A living contradiction.
Today’s verse shows that every god demands some allegiance. What most don’t see is that it has a ruining effect. The prophets of Baal are harming themselves and performing service that goes unanswered. I spoke to a guy who was a surfer and water polo coach. He mentioned that his god was water. While I admired his honesty, I wanted to ask him how his god helped him in time of need. I know it quenched his thirst and provided recreation and beauty, but if he was injured or troubled, how would it help. If he was on his death bed, how could it save.
Jesus said, ‘Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin”‘, (John 8:34). Not only does one’s god not help or save, it enslaves. The extreme case is being an addict. There are many gradations of enslavement that come short of addiction.
Jesus is the one God that helps. He gives rest, peace, help, freedom and so on. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” It pays to serve God. He rewards and blesses us.
Serving God makes us better. We gain a heavenly Father. Our spirits connect and there is a wholeness that’s unbeatable (Romans 8:16). We have the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5). We are freed from sin. He guides us in an amazing life. We get eternity in heaven with him.
To contrast, those who serve other gods are enslaved, they have a god who cannot assist or save. Beyond that, it usually demands an allegiance that ends in abuse as today’s passage points out.
Lord, thank You for Your freedom, Yourself and an amazing life that You generously give us. Help us to serve You well.