Date: Mar. 1, 2019
2 Kings 1:1-18 (ESV)
Key Verse: 1:3
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
1. Is there no God in Israel? (1-8)
After Ahab's death, Ahaziah was not as strong as his father. Moab rebelled against him; his kingdom was getting weak. Then he fell and injured himself. At this interval, he consulted Baal instead of God. So, God sent Elijah to intercept the messengers. Elijah gave God's message to them. "Is there no God in Israel?...You will certainly die!" (3,4) Because he did not seek God, ask God, and pray to God, God could not help him. When we encounter difficulties, we should remember God and present our requests to God with thanksgiving (Phil 4:6).
2. There is a God in Israel! (9-18)
Instead of repenting, Ahaziah tried to arrest Elijah, and Elijah was afraid. So twice he called down fire from heaven to consume the detachment of 50 soldiers who tried to arrest him. The captain of the third detachment feared God and humbly begged Elijah to respect his life and the lives of his men. God assured Elijah that he had nothing to fear, and he went with them to warn the king. According to God's word, the king died.
Prayer: Prayer: Lord, help us to seek God, pray to God first.
One Word: Act as if there is a God!
Revelation 17:1-18
Key Verse: 17:14
They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
