Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

26 June 2024

Reading From I Kings 17-19

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.

–I Kings 18:36-40

     This passage comes from one of my favorite stories in Scripture.  People worship many things.  In fact, Hinduism alone has over one million gods.  But there is only one true and Living God.  His Name is Yahweh, the Great I AM.  The fire that fell that hot, dry, dusty day in Israel not only consumed the sacrifice, but also the wood, the stones, the soil and all the water that had been poured over it.  Our God is awesome in power!  All other gods are just objects or figments of imaginations, but the Lord God is the Creator of the universe and everything therein.

     The prayer that the Lord responded to is beautiful to me.  God sent down the fire to show the people that He was guiding their hearts back to Him.  That’s all He’s ever wanted.  He wants your heart, He wants my heart.  No other god or goddess can satisfy the deepest desires of your heart like Jesus can.  He is able to meet every need, heal every hurt, and fulfill every yearning in the best, healthiest way.  The Lord, He alone is God!

“God, send the fire today.  Show us Your glory.  Guide people back to the relationship You intended for us in the Garden of Eden.  Lead us through the wilderness of this life into the New Eden being prepared for us even now.  Thank You for being You.  Thank You for all You have done and have yet to do for Your children.  Gather us together as Your eternal family.  In the Name of the only One who is able to do these things, even King Jesus.  Amen.”

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence

–II Peter 1:3

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

–Psalm 147:5

‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

–Jeremiah 32:17

This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies:

“I am the First and the Last;
    there is no other God.

Who is like me?
    Let him step forward and prove to you his power.
Let him do as I have done since ancient times
    when I established a people and explained its future.
Do not tremble; do not be afraid.
    Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?
You are my witnesses—is there any other God?
    No! There is no other Rock—not one!”

–Isaiah 44:6-8

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

–Exodus 20:3