TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1b
Read: 1 Kings 17:1
Listen: 1 Kings 17
TODAY’S MESSAGE
God doesn’t sit on the sideline as Israel’s religious foundation crumbles. God wants Israel back, and he takes action sending his word through the prophet Elijah. God strikes at the core of their religious drift by removing the very thing Baal allegedly offers—rain. Elijah declares a drought. God is fighting for the hearts of his people. He desperately wants them to see the bankruptcy of Baal worship and to return to him.
Just like Baal, the things we turn to today are unreliable at best and, at worst, can destroy our lives. Only God can carry the burden of providing purpose and security for our lives. When we place that burden on something else, it eventually crumbles, and we are disappointed or devastated.
God often uses the consequences of our actions to demonstrate the dangers of doing it our own way, like Jesus’ story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). God wants us to return home to him.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
God sent a drought to pull the Israelites back. Later, he sends Jesus to bring us back. During the weekend services, we sang a song that encapsulates the idea of God wanting us back. It says, “it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found…when I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me.” Take a moment to revisit the song, “Reckless Love,” and worship God through it today.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
