ESOCS Devotional 24 December 2022
TEXT: 2 KINGS 1:1-15
MEMORY VERSE: “So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, ‘If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.’ And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.” 1 Kings 1:10
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
If I am a man of God, let fire fall! That is the authority of the saints: they are “those who have made a covenant with [God] by sacrifice” (Psalm 50:5). Elijah lived in the desert among the rocks and hills. His description was very simple and unsophisticated: “A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist” (2 Kings 1:8). He did not crave for the beautiful robes of high society. Although those things belonged to His God, he was not interested in them (Ps. 24:1; Col. 3:2). His attention was strictly on his calling as a prophet of God. He dedicated his life to it and did not spare failing kings. He was not attracted to the pleasures of life at that time and was not interest in the delicacies of rich society or the courts of the kings like the false prophets of Baal who helped Kings Ahab in the worship of Baal because of material gain (Rom. 12:16). He stood firmly by the truth of the word of God and told it to the kings and princes without any fear of molestation.
Elijah declared the power of God. True servants of God carry the power of God in their mouths. When they speak their word comes to pass because they speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). Elijah’s lifestyle sets him apart from others. He was dedicated to holy living. He did not compromise God’s standards for any reason. For him, it was God’s standard or nothing! He demanded honest and clear-cut allegiance to God by the kings, princes, and the children of Israel. He was continually angry at them for the spiritual infidelity.
As Christians, let us dedicate our lives to God like Elijah. We should carry the power of God in our mouths as men and women of God. Principalities and powers should be subject to our authority. James 5:17 compares Elijah to us and therefore makes us understand that we could accomplish his feat: “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” But we have to choose to live a distinct lifestyle like Elijah did, and completely set ourselves apart for God. As people of God that He has chosen for Himself like He chose Elijah, let us endeavour to become productive in the kingdom business (John 15:16). We should also add value to the Christian faith by living the exemplary lifestyle that would make us be like Christ our Lord. Let us cleanse ourselves from all ungodliness and unrighteousness by rededicating our lives to God. 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “If anyone cleanses himself from [iniquity], he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”
Also, the word of God says, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19). Let us live our lives in such a way that God would identify us as His own people – as men and women of God.
CHALLENGES
- What measures would you take to tune your mind to be like Elijah?
PRAYERS
- Prayer for the Holy Spirit to enable you to live a life of integrity.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 24 December 2022
