The Lord He is God

If you have watched any of the news this week you have probably heard of the uprising in Tunisia over political repression and severe economic issues. Some have taken it so far as to completely burn themselves in order to be heard. Tunisia is one of several countries in Northern Africa with less than 1% evangelicals and more than 99% of the population is considered Muslim. The radical action of the Tunisian people is a common factor in the Muslim world. Their willingness to sacrifice themselves for Islam is shocking. From suicide bombers in Iraq to rioters in Tunisia, the dedication is outrageous.

When I see this dedication I am reminded of Elijah and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. 2 Kings 18:28-29 says of the prophets, “They cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them. When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.” Here we see tremendous dedication and self sacrifice to a god that does not exist. After their dancing and worship there was no response. Not because their god was asleep but because he was dead.

The nations are crying out for salvation but their god is dead. They are screaming to be heard but no one will listen. Their sacrifices are tremendous but have no value. When we see the nations crying out it should split us to our core. But does it? Are we broken by their desperation? Listen to Elijah’s prayer later in chapter 18. “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” Can you hear the brokenness in Elijah’s voice? Can you feel his desperation?

As we know God answered Elijah’s prayer. Fire fell from heaven and consumed the altar and the people cried out, “The Lord He is God, the Lord He is God.” The people of Tunisia are crying out. They are longing to be heard. Let us pray with desperation for God to draw these people to Himself. May their cry turn from upheaval to praise.

Cruisin' World

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97

In November of 2008, I went on my first cruise. If you’ve been on a cruise you know one of the first things you do is the emergency test. The best part of the test for me was the life jacket. Each person on the ship is assigned a life jacket and this is no grandpa’s old boat life jacket. This jacket is intense. It has whistles and flashers and possibly even GPS. As we stood there on the ship with everyone in their life jackets waiting for the test to end, I was intrigued. Everyone was so calm and happy. Why? Because it was only a test. We were about to take off on an amazing voyage. We were standing on one of the most beautiful ships in the world.

During the test the life jacket is important. You trust the life jacket and you believe in its significance but it is just a means to an end. If the ship began to sink you would still see the jacket as important. You would believe in it and trust it just as you had before. But it would take on a whole new meaning. It would be your survival. It would be your hope. It would be everything to you.

How do we feel about God’s word? Are we desperate for it for survival, or is it a just the norm for our “Christian life cruise.” Often times I see the comforts of our life keeping us from desperation. Christians in the darkest parts of the world put their lives at stake by simply meeting to hear the word of God read and it is enough for them. Christians in America demand a show but leave that show unsatisfied. There is a difference between depending on something for life and holding on to something for comfort.