1 Kings 18:21 - “And Elijah came unto all the people,
and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow
him; but if Baal, then follow him.”
We can look to the great man of God Elijah as an example of
God’s perfect timing. When Israel had
her most wicked king and queen, God had a great powerful man of God to combat
them. The name Elijah means “My God
is Yahweh,” and that relationship with a Holy God made Elijah a perfect foe
for the wicked royal God-haters.
And Elijah’s ministry was suited perfectly to fight against
Baal, the false god of nature, of food, of lightning, and of resurrection. The Canaanite myth of “Might makes
right” was challenged by the fact that Elijah’s God was the true God of
Heaven.
Elijah,
the Baal-Smasher
Jezebel had made it plain
That Baal should be their lord.
She put the priests of Baal in charge
And threatened with the sword
That all who dared to worship God
Untimely death would meet.
So all the people turned to Baal
To make her rule complete.
Elijah was a man of God
Who stood against the tide
When everyone in Israel
Had gone to Baal’s side.
But this great prophet took a stand --
A stand for God and right –
A stand against the royal pair –
A stand for faith and light.
He challenged all the priests of Baal
To test on Carmel’s height.
And there the God of Israel
Did put the foe to flight,
By sending forth a fire so hot
That even stones were burned.
Elijah proved that Holy God
Was not one to be spurned.
The man of God then took a sword
To slay the priests of Baal
Who made the Israelites to sin
And from their God rebel.
So God in perfect timing
Had just the man on hand
To smash the god of Canaan
According to His plan.
© 2006 Paul Stultz
Quote – “I know that none of you will ever decide for God's gospel, unless God decide you; and I tell you that you must either be decided by the descent of the fire of his Spirit into your hearts now, or else in the day of judgment." – C.H. Spurgeon
"Lord, help us to always take a stand against evil. Give us of your strength daily to fight against those who would subvert your goodness. And Lord, help us to not halt between good and evil, but always decide for good. Amen."
