via TJC
"Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekro" 2 Kings 1:3b
2 Kings begins with Elijah raising two epic questions, “Is there not a God in Israel?” and “Why did Ahaziah need to ask Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether he would die from the disease he acquired?”
This ties in perfectly with 1 Kings 3:11-14 where Solomon asks God for wisdom, capitalizing on his direct access to God. But, how many times have I cried out in desperation, anger, depression, heartbreak, anxiousness, fear, confusion, etc? How many times have I asked God in a “foxhole prayer” to take something from me, yet look to something or someone else to tell me whether these things will be the death of me? They may even lie and say, “it’s okay” - everybody’s been there.
How many times have I come to realize that WHO I need is God and WHAT I need is GOD alone? And yet I found myself lingering around in places in my head I didn’t need to be, or finding pleasure in old habits that die hard.
How many times will I ask anyone else, like Ahaziah? Elijah’s questions were blunt and straight to the point. Solomon’s requests were genuine while capitalizing on his direct access to God, in-line with eternity, and in the Lords’ name.
John 14:11-17 lays it out clearly. But what’s often very clear is that we fail to see WHO is right there by our side waiting on that conversation, “ask what I shall give thee” (1 Kings 3:5b). If you know Him, do you see Him? Or are you running to your Baalzebubs?
Don’t wait for an Elijah to come by and finally say that one sin acquired is going to be your death. It’s all about WHO we turn to, and even more about WHAT we ask.
Daily Battle Order:
Two important keys for daily physical and mental health are:
1. Do hard things, and
2. Lift heavy things.
The same is true for spiritual health:
1. Have the hard conversations with God and a brother, and
2. Lift each other’s heavy burdens together in prayer and in love.
Capitalize on the direct access you have to the God, WHO WAS, AND IS, AND WILL ALWAYS BE right there.
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