Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in.  (Psalms 118:24)

Today, let’s look at an example of mistakenly betting against God.

Today’s scripture, 1 Kings 18:21-24 (NLT) says…
[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. [22] Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. [23] Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. [24] Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed.

Consider…
Poet James Weldon Johnson wrote the popular quote, “Young man, young man — your arm’s too short to box with God.”

The quote makes me think of Psalmist Todd Delaney’s lyrics…

… Who will stand against the Lord?
No one can
No one will
… Who will stand against the king?
No one can
No one will
… Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Victory belongs to Jesus
Victory belongs to Him

Yet despite most people knowing it’s impossible to defeat God, people still take the one in infinity odds and try.  For example, in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (NLT) the Apostle Paul wrote…
[7] No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. [8] But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.

Satan thought he could kill Jesus and thwart God’s plan, only to discover he actually advanced it. 

In today’s scripture, we read about a famous example of people mistakenly betting against God.  The Prophet Elijah went up against 450:1 odds that he could prove the God we serve is the one True God.  In order to prove this, he suggested a simple fire making contest.

What’s even cooler about this story, after Elijah gave the prophets of Baal first dibs on having their god accept the sacrifice to him, he doubled the odds by ordering Baals prophets to drench his altar, to our God, with water. (1 Kings 18:30-35)

When is the last time you dared someone or something to test our God?

You see, God wants us to be so confident in Him that we are willing to publicly put Him to the test to prove HE IS the one and only true God.  This statement is key, because Elijah was focused on proving God was the one and only.  Elijah’s motive wasn’t self-aggrandizing, instead it was God glorifying.  So be careful to make sure, when you are putting God to the test with others, that your motivation is glorifying Him and not promoting you.

When we lift God up, He will prove Isaiah 44:6-8 (NLT), which declares…
[6] This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: “I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. [7] Who is like me? Let him step forward and prove to you his power. Let him do as I have done since ancient times when I established a people and explained its future. [8] Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one!”

God wants us to prove there is no doubt that He is God alone.  But the way He wants us to prove it changed after Christ proved He was Immanuel, God in Flesh.  Now, in addition to winning battles or performing miracles, He wants to prove He’s the one True God by how we behave as His children.  It’s why Jesus exhorts us in Matthew 5:16 (NLT)…
[16] In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

And Jesus was even more specific in Matthew 5:38-45 (NLT) when He said…
[38]  “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ [39] But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. [40] If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. [41] If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. [42] Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.  [43]  “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. [44] But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! [45] In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

You see the way we treat others, especially those we don’t like or worse, consider enemies, shows His unconditional love and boundless grace.   These unconventional responses to unkindness, defy the odds the world places on us to operate according to our natural tendencies rather than bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit’s tree. 

Therefore, prove God is real by living out Romans 12:19-21 (NLT) which exhorts…
[19] Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. [20] Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” [21] Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

I know, this is counterintuitive and makes no sense, but that’s why Proverbs 21:30 (NLT) explains…
[30] No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.

So today, defy the world’s odds and lovingly prove that you serve the one True God, who takes care of His children,  and wants your enemies to become your brothers and sisters in Him.

So going forward, no matter how overwhelming the odds may appear, 450:1, don’t fear your surroundings because you’re surrounded by God!  Don’t let your surroundings dictate how you interact with God, let God dictate how you interact with your surroundings.

Today’s Song is…
Surrounded (Fight My Battles)

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)