Beyond the Weekend

March 13 | Exposing Baal

March 13, 2019

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. 1 Kings 18:26b

Read: 1 Kings 18:25-29

Listen: 1 Kings 18

TODAY’S MESSAGE

For hours the prophets of Baal prayed, called, shouted and danced. They ultimately resorted to slashing themselves with swords and spears all in an attempt to persuade Baal to respond in any way. The heavens were silent no matter what they did and no matter how loud or graphic they got. One hour gave way to the next as the day moved slowly and agonizingly forward. No response and no action as the sacrifice lay completely undisturbed on the altar.

We can imagine that slowly (almost without notice) it finally dawned on the great crowd about the bankruptcy of their spiritual failure. Right in front of them, in all of its awfulness, they saw their depravity and worthlessness. In reality, the God of Israel had given them a gift—of truth. In the silence of Baal was the voice of God saying, “This isn’t it.”

We too can be dependent on something other than God. We believe that a person, thing or experience, other than God, will come through for us and give us ultimate meaning. But it never does. When we see that it doesn’t, we need to hear God’s voice saying to us, “This isn’t it.”

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Spend some extra time doing serious “heart work.” Ask yourself, “Is there something (or someone) I’m looking to for my worth and value?” Like much spiritual drift we experience, this can happen very gradually over months or years. Ask your Father for wisdom and spiritual discernment as you listen for his voice.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

You Might Also Like