And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.
1 Kings 18:21, ESV
God doesn’t want us to waver in our beliefs. Elijah cried out to the people of Israel, calling them to account because they would worship God but would also set up idols for worship. The story that follows these words of Elijah is amusing to hear as he mocks the prophets of Baal as they dance around all day crying out to Baal to no avail as no fire is brought to their sacrifice and how God shows his power by burning up a water-soaked sacrifice. Sadly, how little difference do we see in the world as people place their hope in things that can do nothing to save them? We, as followers of Christ, are called to be careful in our walk not to allow these practices to ensnare us in our lives. We may not have Baal, but there are things in the world that can draw us away wholly or may divide our hearts in our worship. The idols of our culture are great, and the hope we place in them can cause our hearts to become divided. Our witness for Christ may be lessened. We can only have one altar on which we place our devotion, and only one God can be ever before us. God does not tolerate a divided heart, nor does a divided heart allow for comfort and peace. Jesus said the same as he spoke of mammon and how we cannot worship it and God. One gives eternal hope, the other fleeting happiness and then despair. Our Lord calls us to stand firm in the hope that can surpass all things in this world. The hope that leads to life eternal. The hope that leads to peace. As the fire consumed the sacrifice in whole, so does our Lord consume all that wishes to tear us down. The serpent may hiss and flash his fangs, but he has been defeated, and God has disarmed him of any power so that we may have no fear. Stand firm in the hope and the promise of our Lord in an undivided faith and walk in His peace.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.