Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 1 Kings 18:37
The Law stated the penalty for anyone using false gods to prophecy, and Elijah carried it out with the help of the people of Israel. First, of course, we have that great story of the Lord doing as we would like to see. Yes, in 1 Kings 18 is the story of the sign those scribes and Pharisees wanted to see Jesus perform for them and the miracle that those who believe in God want to see done before the scoffers. God burnt up the water-logged sacrifice completely with no human hand helping Him at all. Elijah prayed and God did the sign on Mt. Carmel. Then Elijah and the suddenly willing people of Israel did the noise suppression on the false prophets we read of yesterday. No question, the people returned to the Lord in this case in stark terror of His fire. Over-awed, amazed, and in fear for their lives, they turned back to the Lord. Obviously it worked, but did this sign and miracle last and make Israel that shining city on a hill with hearts turned permanently to the Lord?
From the histories and prophets in the Bible, we know that Israel remained divided and king after king failed to turn to the Lord and do right. So when some years later they demanded a sign from Jesus, He did not perform for them on demand. Fear only works for a brief time, though it does cause many to repent and believe in the Savior. We see in the new covenant that while Jesus saves us from our fear, shame, regret and other negative emotions that may initially bring us to Him, it is a whole different set of fruit that He would raise up in us.
So, friends of our Lord Jesus, rejoice today in love, peace, gentleness, and many other fruits of the Spirit growing from the True Vine!
Bucky
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