Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ The people did not answer him a word.”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, November 1, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
“Make a decision and go with it!” I often mutter this under my breath when I’m driving on the freeway and another driver seems unable to choose which lane they need to be in, or what speed they should be going, or whether they’re actually going to go in the direction their turn signal indicates. It’s a silly example, but it’s indicative of the natural human tendency to want a guaranteed outcome to any decision we make. I feel like that’s what was happening in this story—the people wanted to follow the God of their ancestors, on the one hand. But on the other, how could they be entirely sure that Baal wasn’t more powerful, better able to care for them, a more politically wise choice? King Ahab and Queen Jezebel came out strong for Baal. Could the people not trust their leaders?
Elijah isn’t having it. “Look, people, it’s really not that hard. You know that God is God and Baal is an idol. Make a decision and go with it!” They don’t, of course, until he demonstrates unequivocally who has the power, by calling down God’s fire to consume a completely soaked sacrifice. Maybe shockingly, even then the people don’t believe. Or won’t make the right decision. The truth is absolutely crystal clear, but they stubbornly persist in following the wrong god. It’s a little bewildering. But how often do we do the same thing today? Stay with what’s comfortable and familiar, even when it’s so clear that it’s causing us harm?
Am I clinging to something against logic? How can I open my mind and heart to something different God might be calling me to?
