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 18:20 NIV
Three and a half years into the drought, Elijah challenged the people of Israel to stop wavering! From the time that King Ahab had married Jezebel, the nation had been steep in the worship of Baal, the supposed god of rain. Yet the Lord had withheld rain, no doubt, to help the people realize He alone was God. However, their hard hearts would not concede, for the people said nothing.
The Word of God is alive and active, sharper than a double edged sword, and it challenges me through these accounts of Elijah’s life. In our previous post, Watch For The Ravens, we pondered the question, “Am I content with whatever God chooses to give me?” In When The Brook Dries Up, we saw the importance of trusting the plan God has for us, even when we don’t know the details. In Trust God And Hold Nothing Back, we considered the faith of the widow and had to wonder if our faith would be strong enough to enable us to surrender everything to God, trusting His provision to be enough.
Once again, I am challenged, this time by Elijah’s question, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him.” We are quick to apply Elijah’s admonition to unbelievers. We know they need to make a decision and the sooner the better. But what about you and I? As a Christian, I’m convicted by Elijah’s question. Why is it that we waiver? No matter how many times God demonstrates His faithfulness, why do we still struggle to trust Him? God knows that we are weak so He sends us confirmation time and time again, reminding us that He is in control. He demonstrates in amazing ways just how much He loves us, yet as soon as we are tested we tend to doubt. Why is that?
If the Lord is God, follow him! It really is that simple! That’s what we need to settle in our hearts and minds today. Based on our belief that the Lord is indeed God, we need to fully commit to trust Him and remain faithful to Him in every situation. Think it through and resolve in your mind today that you will not waiver!
Consider these verses that encourage us to be unwavering in our faith:
But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News. Colossians 1:23a NLT
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8 KJV
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. 1 Corinthians 15:58a NIV
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then. Epheshians 6:13-14a NIV