Category: faith

Bold Obedience


2 Kings 22-23
2 Chronicles 34-35

Ah, finally we get to a humble, obedient, and faithful king! King Josiah was only eight years old when he became king & perhaps his childlike faith, characterized by an unwavering trust in God, was partially responsible for his complete devotion to the One True God. According to 2 Kings 22:2, “He did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left.”

King Josiah stands out as one of the most faithful and courageous leaders in all of Israel’s history. From a young age, he set his heart on God, and as he matured, his devotion bore fruit through sweeping reforms and bold obedience. When the long-lost Book of the Law, the Torah, was discovered during temple repairs, Josiah didn’t dismiss its warnings or delay its commands. Instead, he tore his clothes in humility and led the nation of Judah in heartfelt repentance.

Josiah’s leadership was marked by deep reverence for God’s Word, active obedience, and massive reform. He didn’t just believe privately, he acted publicly. He removed idols, tore down altars to false gods, and restored worship as God intended. Josiah renewed the covenant between God and his people, and led a national Passover celebration unlike any since the time of Samuel.

Despite the sins of previous generations, Josiah believed it wasn’t too late to return to God. His story reminds us that genuine faith leads to repentance and action. His life models how one heart, fully surrendered to God, can impact others – even an entire nation!

Even though Josiah didn’t live to see all of the long-term fruit of his efforts, God honored his humility and faithfulness. His legacy encourages us to lead with courage and humility, obey with conviction, and seek the Lord with passionate, undivided hearts.

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You for children of faith who grow up to be men and women of faith! May our hearts be renewed as we study Your Word and learn to have unwavering faith and obedience, like that of King Josiah. Thank You for giving us Your Word and examples of the righteous who have come before us. We humbly ask that you fill us with your power to lead this generation and the next back to you!

Reflection Questions:

1. What can Josiah’s immediate response to God’s Word teach us about how we respond to truth and correction?

2. In what areas of your life might God be calling you to remove “idols” or restore rightful worship?

3. How can you use your influence, big or small, to lead others in faithful obedience to God? 

-Beth Osborn

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Not Vague Hopes but Guaranteed Realities – God’s Promises

Isaiah 59-63


These chapters are a crescendo of God’s redemptive plan. From the confession of sin in Isaiah 59 to the celebration of salvation in Isaiah 63, we see a God who refuses to leave His people in darkness. Though judgment is real and sin has separated people from Him, God promises to act, not because His people are worthy, but because He is faithful.

Isaiah 59 opens with a hard truth: the problem is not that God is distant, but that sin separates us from Him. Yet God does not abandon His people. In verses 15–20, He looks and sees there is no one to intercede, so He promises to send a savior who will put on righteousness like armor and salvation like a helmet. This is a clear prophetic picture of Jesus, the Redeemer, who comes to Zion and turns hearts from transgression.

Isaiah 60:1 is stated as an enthusiastic command: “Arise, shine, for your light has come!”

God promises a day when His glory will shine on His people, even though darkness covers the earth. This is not merely for dramatic effect, it is the fulfillment of God’s plan to make His people a light to the nations. In Christ, this light has come, and now we are called to shine with His glory!

Isaiah 61 contains one of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture, the mission of the coming Messiah:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…” (Isaiah 61:1)

Jesus quoted this very passage in Luke 4 and said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” God promises comfort, freedom, healing, and restoration. He trades ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and despair for praise.

God is not content to redeem, He delights to rejoice over His people. In Isaiah 62:4 He says, “You will be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her), and your land Beulah (married).” No longer forsaken, no longer desolate, God’s people will be treasured, honored, and watched over like a crown in His hand.

God shows up as a mighty warrior, executing justice and salvation in Isaiah 63. He judges evil but also remembers mercy. In verses 7-9, the prophet recalls God’s faithful love and how He personally rescued and carried His people, to magnify His name in the world. His promises are not cold declarations, they are acts of compassion, flowing from His heart.

God’s promises are not vague hopes, they are guaranteed realities. When sin separates, He comes to redeem. When darkness falls, His glory rises. When the broken cry out, He binds their wounds. And when His people forget, He remembers. He is the God who keeps His covenants forever.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You are the God who keeps Your promises. When I am weak, You fight for me. When I am broken, You heal. When I am in darkness, You shine. Help me trust Your Word, live in Your truth, and walk in the light of Your glory. In your son Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Where do you struggle to put your trust in God?

• How have you grieved God’s Holy Spirit & have you repented, turned from sin, and gratefully accepted restoration?

• How has God’s light shone through you, in the midst of darkness?

• Are you walking in the identity and mission God has given you? 

-Beth Osborn

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Our Faithful God’s Big Promises and Plans

Isaiah 54-58

Isaiah 54-58 paints a beautiful picture of God’s mercy, restoration, and covenant faithfulness. While written in the context of Israel’s exile and return, these words convey God’s love and faithfulness for all generations and people. They offer hope of the New Covenant, which is fulfilled in Christ and graciously extended to all who call upon His name.

In Isaiah 54, God speaks to a people who feel forgotten and barren. They have lost trust in God, and betrayed him numerous times. Yet, He invites them to sing with joy and promises to enlarge their tents! Why? Because He is about to fulfill His promise of restoration. Though they had strayed, His covenant of peace stands firm:

“With everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:8)

“My unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” (Isaiah 54:10)

God knows exactly what He intends his people to become. He knows exactly what circumstances, both good and bad, are necessary to produce that result in our life. Will we trust him through it all, with greater faith and obedience than the Israelites?

God himself grants an invitation to the weary and empty in Isaiah 55.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.” (Isaiah 55:1)

It’s important to note, that this is not a transaction but a gift. The gift of life, of forgiveness, and of purpose. Isaiah points us to a “Davidic covenant” made new: an everlasting covenant for all who will listen and obey God’s Word. His promises are not vague hopes, rather they are declarations backed by His unchanging character.

In the New Covenant, Jesus is the Living Water and the Bread of Life. The “free” offer in Isaiah 55 becomes the gospel invitation: “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s thoughts and ways are far above our own. This doesn’t mean He is indifferent to our suffering, rather that His plan is bigger than what we can see or understand. In our limited perspective, we often can’t fully understand what God is doing. But Isaiah assures us that God is always at work, even when we can’t fathom his ways.

In Isaiah 56, God declares that the foreigner and the eunuch (those who were once excluded), now have a place in His house. The New Covenant throws the doors wide open! No one is too far gone, too broken, or too different. In Christ, all are welcomed and made new. That is excellent news for us, as Gentiles!

Isaiah 57 declares that God dwells in two places: the high and holy place, and with the contrite and lowly in spirit. That’s the mystery of grace. He’s not looking for spiritual perfection, but for hearts that are humble and honest. The New Covenant brings God near, not because we’ve earned it, but because Christ has made the way.

The New Covenant doesn’t reward the proud or the religious elite. It finds its home in the hearts of those who know their need and bow before God in humility, repentance, and dependence.

Religion says, “I messed up, my Dad is going to kill me!”, whereas Sonship says, “I messed up, I need my Dad’s help!”

Isaiah 58 makes it clear that God isn’t impressed with hypocritical, half-hearted religion. He desires hearts that reflect His justice and compassion. Fasting, prayer, and worship are empty if they’re disconnected from love for the Father and love for others. Proper fasting humbles us, blesses others, and honors God. This echoes the heart of Jesus’ ministry. The New Covenant reshapes our worship, not just as acts of ritual and obedience, but as a life poured out for others, empowered by the Spirit of God, and rewarded with blessings of salvation and the Messiah’s kingdom!

Let us live as grateful recipients of the New Covenant. Set apart and motivated not by religious performance, but by a relationship with our loving Creator. May we display trust, obedience, and confident hope in the one true God, our loving and merciful Father, who always keeps His promises.

Prayer:

Father in heaven, let me receive Your grace freely and trust that Your Word will bear fruit in my life. Come and dwell in me, not because I am worthy, but because You are full of mercy. Father, teach me to worship You in truth, not just with words, but with action. May my life reflect the love, kindness, and action that You desire. In your son, Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Where in your life have you doubted God’s faithfulness?

• Is your faith more about ritual (religion) or relationship (sonship) ?

• Do you believe that God’s ways are better than yours, even when life hurts?

• What areas of life do you need to surrender to God, allowing Him to turn your brokenness into beauty, for his glory?

• How can you practice “true fasting” this week? 

-Beth Osborn

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Faithful Heritage

Isaiah 51-53

The first year that I attended National Berean Youth Camp (aka RYOT, aka FUEL) way back in the late 1980’s, I was overwhelmed by the number of familial relations. Everyone seemed to be related to everyone else! I was the odd man out because I didn’t have twenty cousins also in attendance at camp. As I have grown up and continued to be involved with the Church of God General Conference, I am still discovering others’ family connections. But I am excited that my family of origin now has a third generation participating in COG events! 

The rich history of the Church of God is like a beautiful family tree that has incredibly deep roots that go back for more than a century! As a Conference we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation, helping the young ones to know where they come from and what earlier generations have done on their behalf. At the same time, we continue to graft new fellow believers into this family tree giving them a secure foundation on which to build their faith and grow their own family branches.

In today’s Scripture reading, God, through the prophet Isaiah, is reminding the people of Israel, that they have a rich heritage that extends back to Abraham and Sarah. From one couple, an entire nation was born! And what’s exciting is that you and I get to be part of that heritage as well! 

Isaiah 51:1b-2a remind me of what the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:14-15: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

We can be sure in what we believe because we have had trustworthy teachers, preachers, mentors, and leaders that have remained by our side as we grow deeper in our understanding of the Word of God about who God is, what has been accomplished on our behalf, and the abundant life that we are invited to participate in. My personal experience of those within the General Conference who have invested in my life are too many to count. I am so blessed and thankful, for it is their involvement in my life that has shaped who I am today. You and I have a similar opportunity to pay it forward with the same love and generosity by investing in others.

If you are reading this on the publish date, July 19, 2025, we have over two hundred FUEL participants (students and staff) that have just returned from FUEL, a week-long event designed to bring high school and college aged students closer to God, his Son, Jesus, and each other. If you know anyone who attended, be sure to reach out to them and ask them about their experience. Nurture the relationships that make the General Conference so incredible and encourage the next generation in their faith so that we can continue to grow the Family of God family tree.  

Reflection Questions

Who are the “Abrahams and Sarahs” in your life – people whose example reminds you of God’s faithfulness?

How does remembering your spiritual roots or faith heritage strengthen your trust in God today?

-Bethany Ligon

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Imposters

Isaiah 44-48

Each morning as I open and check my email inbox, I am compelled to clean out and delete all of the spam messages that are delivered as well. Every time, I “block sender” and yet those pesky messages still show up! Have you ever noticed how similar some of the spam messages are to a legitimate vendor or service? Most are easily identified as junk, but every once in a while, I need to look a bit more closely to see if it’s the real deal or not. According to a CBS report in April 2025 over $16.6 BILLION was lost due to fraudulent emails, text messages, and phone calls in the previous year. Imposters are very persistent and clever in disguising themselves as valid and trustworthy sources.

In Isaiah chapters 44-48, God emphasises that He alone is God, there is no other and none are like Him. In fact, there are nine times within this section that a variation of this phrase is stated. 

  • Isaiah 44:6
  • Isaiah 45:5, 6, 14, 18, 21, 22
  • Isaiah 46:9
  • Isaiah 48:12 (variation) 

As God’s people had been captured by Babylon, they were surrounded by false, fake gods. Through the prophet Isaiah, God makes it crystal clear who the REAL God is. 

The false, fake gods are man made. The one, true God made man and the entire universe.

The false, fake gods are unable to speak and fulfill promises. The one, true God not only claims things to come, but works to see those claims come to fruition.

The false, fake gods have no power, authority, or sovereignty. The one, true God orchestrates unlikely foreign leaders to rescue His people.

The false, fake gods cannot provide salvation. The one, true God is salvation for His people.

As a reader of this passage of Scripture, it’s tempting to think, “How could someone be duped by a false, fake god?”. But when you never seek and study the one, true God, it becomes a challenge to distinguish between the imposter and the authentic. When you are familiar with the characteristics, the qualities, the patterns, the motivations, and the promises of the one, true God, it becomes easier to discriminate against the attempts of the false, fake gods. 

So spend a little extra time today in the presence of the one, true God so your heart and mind can confidently claim, “There is no other; there is none like You”. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some “false, fake gods” or imposters in your life that compete for your attention, trust, or hope?
  1. How can you become more familiar with God so you’re not fooled by spiritual imposters?
  1. Finish this prayer: “God, there is no other; there is none like You because…”

-Bethany Ligon

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Looking for Solutions in All the Wrong Places?

Isaiah 31-34

Life is full of challenges and problems, and people are always looking for a quick fix to get them by. But a quick fix that the world promises often turns out to be no fix at all, just another problem on top of all of our existing problems. When we leave off trusting in God, and put our trust in ourselves or the quick fixes that the world has to offer, we set ourselves up for disappointment.

In Isaiah 31-32 we see how the Israelites were afraid of the impending Assyrian army and were looking at Egypt as a solution for the protection they needed. But God said, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek Yahweh!” (Isaiah 31:1, REV) At the time this was written, chariots were a big deal, the latest and greatest military technology. Placing their hopes and trust in these, the Israelites were essentially telling God, “Don’t worry God; we can take care of this; we don’t need you.” And, of course, this is all wrong. God is concerned and invested in his people, he wants to participate in their salvation, and they really do need Him.

The reality is, sometimes we are a lot like the Israelites of Isaiah’s time, we are looking for solutions in all the wrong places instead of trusting in God.  We are not threatened by the threat of an invading army, but we have plenty of challenges and problems that we need solutions for. We don’t look to chariots anymore, but we do depend on modern technology, like cars and cell phones to carry us through. But we should ask ourselves if we are putting our trust in God or in ourselves and the solutions of the world. It is a question about our hearts. Is your cell phone your tool for distraction, connection, and maybe a false sense of safety? Are you running away from something? Have you prayed to God about whatever it is that you are feeling, facing, or going through? Just like Egypt couldn’t provide the security the Israelites were searching for, neither can our devices or distractions fix what’s going on inside us.

God deals with the real problem, not just the symptom. “The Assyrian will fall, but not by the sword of people; and the sword that is not of humankind will devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor.” (Isaiah 31:8) With Yahweh our massive problems are no problem at all. It’s not the situation itself, but where we place our trust that makes all the difference.

“The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.” (Isaiah 32:17, REV) Quietness and confidence really stand out to me in this verse. Regarding quietness, I think of how, when a city is quiet, generally nothing bad is going on. And regarding confidence, that’s a kind of safety you feel when you’re not afraid of an impending disaster.

I used to have an old Jeep Cherokee that routinely broke down and on more than one occasion left me stranded on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck or laboring to fix it under the hot summer sun. Of course, after multiple episodes of this, the Jeep lost my trust and I eventually sold it and purchased a newer Toyota. Since then, I’ve had more confidence that I’ll actually make it to my appointments without breaking down. When I placed my trust in that old, unreliable Jeep, the result was disappointment.

When we choose to follow and obey God, we can experience the quietness and confidence that only he can give. It is fundamentally a heart issue. God wants us, and he is persistent again and again, calling His people back to Him for peace and safety. Just like his promise to the Israelites, when we look to God for salvation, he will be faithful to deliver us.

-Bridger Grable

Reflection Questions

  1. “But we should ask ourselves if we are putting our trust in God or in ourselves and the solutions of the world. It is a question about our hearts. Is your cell phone your tool for distraction, connection, and maybe a false sense of safety? Are you running away from something? Have you prayed to God about whatever it is that you are feeling, facing, or going through?”
  2. What, or who, have you put your trust in, and then were disappointed?
  3. What does it look like to put our trust in God?
  4. What do you think of Bridger’s statement, “God deals with the real problem, not just the symptom”? Where have you seen this to be true?
  5. If you desire to transfer your trust from self, others, things to God what steps could be helpful? What should you avoid? How can you work at this heart change?
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Separated

Hosea 5-9

In chapter 5 of Hosea, we see judgement pronounced over Israel.

“Listen to this, O priests! Listen, O house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king! For the judgment is against you; for you have been a snare at Mizpah, and a net spread on Tabor.”
 (Hosea 5:1, REV)

Later in verse 14, Yahweh says:

“I myself will tear them in pieces and go away. I will carry them off, and there will be no one to rescue them.” (Hosea 5:14, REV)

Things are starting to look bleak for Israel. Yet some begin to consider returning to Yahweh:

“Come and let’s return to Yahweh; for he has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; he has injured us, but he will bind up our wounds.” (Hosea 6:1, REV)

But in verse 4, Yahweh reveals a deeper issue – Israel is not loyal to its covenants. He compares them to a morning cloud or dew that vanishes early. Yahweh knows they won’t truly turn back, but will continue down a path of unrighteousness:

“The pride of Israel testifies to his face, yet they do not return to Yahweh their God, nor have they sought him for all this.” (Hosea 7:10, REV)

In chapter 8, Yahweh continues to speak on the corrupt mindset of Israel and the many reasons for their separation from Him. Midway through the chapter, we see what happens to Israel.

“Israel is swallowed up. Now they are among the nations like a vessel that nobody wants. For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired herself out to lovers.” (Hosea 8:8–9, REV)

Back in chapter 5, verse 4, it says that Israel cannot return to God because of their deeds. That verse reminds me how important it is to change our actions when we turn to God. We can’t claim to be pure in mind and soul while continuing in sin and partaking in things that bring us further from God.

Since working in the construction industry and expanding my social circle beyond the church, I’ve noticed something. When I talk to people about faith and religion, many say they follow Christ but in the same breath, they contradict that by showing allegiance to themselves. My prayer for them is that they would not follow the path that Israel took, but recognize this hypocrisy and take steps to correct it. If they are sincere, they will allow God to begin to move in their lives or maybe even discover who God truly is for the first time.

-Bridger Grable

Reflection Questions

  1. How would you describe Israel’s problem in Hosea’s day?
  2. Where have you seen similar problems?
  3. In your own life when has your love evaporated quickly, like the morning dew? How are you doing right now? Are your deeds taking you closer to God or further from Him? What might Hosea (speaking for God) say about your heart?
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Unfaithful

Hosea 1-4

There’s no doubt that adultery is one of the most talked-about sins in the Bible. Even King David, a man after God’s own heart, fell into this sin. Earlier in Scripture, we see God destroy an entire city because of its sexual immorality. In the book of Hosea, God uses adultery as a metaphor for the unfaithfulness of Israel. Hosea doesn’t just speak God’s message, he lives it out, through his marriage and even the names of his children.

Right off the bat in Hosea 1:2, we see what God asks of him, “When Yahweh began to speak with Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, ‘Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and have children of prostitution; for the land commits great adultery, forsaking Yahweh.’” (REV) God’s people were a promiscuous bunch, chasing idols and worldly desires they believed would fulfill them.

Hosea and his wife Gomer have three children, each with a symbolic name. First is Jezreel, representing God’s judgment and the scattering of Israel. Then comes Lo-Ruhamah, meaning “no mercy,” because God was withdrawing his compassion. Finally, there’s Lo-Ammi, meaning “not my people,” a symbol of God’s rejection after Israel broke their covenant with Him.

Gomer, like Israel, is unfaithful. She cheated on Hosea and eventually fell into prostitution, chasing after other men. This would have been enough for most people to get a divorce over. But God had other plans for their relationship. Hosea doesn’t give up, rather he pursues her. When she’s at a point of desperation he buys her back – “So I bought her for myself for 15 pieces of silver and a homer and a half of barley.” (Hosea 3:2, REV)

God rejected Israel because they had turned from Him and started following other gods like Baal. I thought it was interesting how even small things like loving raisin cakes can symbolize where our hearts are drifting –  “Yahweh said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman loved by another, and an adulteress, even as Yahweh loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.’” (Hosea 3:1 REV) It’s not about the cake, but rather what it represents. The misplaced love and devotion.

Despite everything, God promises restoration. He doesn’t stop loving His people and we can have security in knowing he will not stop.

“Afterward the children of Israel will return and seek Yahweh their God, and David their king, and will come with trembling to Yahweh and to his blessings in the last days.” (Hosea 3:5 REV)

-Bridger Grable

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways was Israel unfaithful to God?
  2. In what ways have you been unfaithful to God?
  3. What is God’s response to unfaithfulness?
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Fish Food

Jonah 1-4

We all probably know the highlights of the story. Jonah was commanded to go to Nineveh, but thought he could hide from God if he fled to Tarshish. After a storm bombards their ship, Jonah confesses what he has done to his shipmates. They aren’t even followers of God and can’t believe what he has done. Jonah tells them to toss him overboard and eventually, they do and he is swallowed by a great fish sent from God. Jonah repents and is vomited out of the fish in Nineveh. He spreads God’s word and the people of Nineveh listen and repent. Jonah gets mad that God showed Nineveh compassion, gets angry about his plant dying, and begs God for death.

Today, I want to focus on Jonah’s time in the sea and in the whale. As a child, I remember being introduced to the story of Jonah. Thanks to Disney’s “Pinocchio” and its depiction of the inside of the whale, I envisioned Jonah in a vast yet watery cavern of a stomach. I thought it sounded a little fun, honestly. In my mind, he had light, could eat seafood, and just needed to hang out for a few days before his live submarine dropped him off at Nineveh. However, Jonah’s experience was nothing like Pinocchio’s.

In his prayer from the belly of the fish, he recounts his dismay as the seaweed wrapped around his head as he sank to the sea floor. He details being on the brink of death and how, in those seemingly last moments, he desperately calls out to God for help.

We can further imagine what it might have been like for Jonah, thanks to a passage from “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville. In Chapter 9 a character named Father Maple reads this hymn for the crew:

“The ribs and terrors in the whale,

Arched over me a dismal gloom,

While all God’s sun-lit waves rolled by,

And lift me deepening down to doom…..

…In black distress I called my God,

When I could scarce believe him mine,

He bowed his ear to my complaints

No more the whale did me confine….

…I give the glory to my God,

His all the mercy and the power.”

I don’t know what Jonah’s life was like before this event, but I have to imagine that this is the lowest and darkest event that he had experienced. And yet, he cried out to God and God answered. Even though Jonah made a calculated decision to run away from God, God still answered when Jonah called out. Jonah could never truly outrun God or be too damaged for God to care for. God didn’t just listen to Jonah’s cries, he saved him, redeemed him, and entrusted him to still go speak to the people of Nineveh.

In our fast-paced, chaotic lives it can be easy for us to make a calculated decision to run from God and try to hide. Inevitably, we will have a time or times in our lives when we hit rock bottom and feel as though we can see the mountains of the deep rising around us, suffocating us. But don’t lose hope! Just as God still loved Jonah no matter how far he ran, God still loves us. God can break the chains that hold us down in our distress. He offers love, freedom, forgiveness, and a purpose.

If you are feeling low or see someone around you who is struggling, it’s time to cry out to God. God loves you and has a plan for you. Let him comfort you and free you from whatever might be holding you back.

-Lacy Dunn

Reflection:

• Is there anything weighing you down that you feel like you can’t escape? If so, take some time to give your burden to God. Also, talk to a Godly friend or mentor who can help you so you aren’t alone.

• What do you think Jonah looked like and smelled like after arriving in Nineveh via whale vomit? Imagine what you might do if you saw Jonah arrive in your town/city like this. 

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It’s Personal

1 Kings 17-19

I have appreciated the opportunity to read and share my thoughts with you across these seven days. We’ve traced the unfolding drama of the divided kings and kingdoms of Israel. We’ve watched the culture shift, the crowd move to and fro, and the pressure rise and fall, but through their stories, one truth rings clear: the faithful know that wisdom comes from God alone.

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)

Looking momentarily at my own nation, America is a nation with deep Judeo-Christian roots, as many of our founding documents demonstrate a commitment to God as the architect of the law that governs us. Our motto makes mention of our trust in God, we proclaim His work in our patriotic songs, open government functions with prayer, and swear in our presidents with their hand on His Word. I am one of many who believe the blessings we enjoy as a nation—even in today’s troubling times—can be attributed to the enduring declaration that the God of Israel and the Father of Jesus Christ reigns here.  Sadly, more and more are living on borrowed blessings as the altars of moral revision, self-importance, and political convenience are being fashioned and raised.

Today, we look to the prophet Elijah, who lived as a lone voice for the Lord in a nation God had once richly blessed. Elijah wasn’t trendy or tribal. His conversations with God were authentic and intimate, and he took action as one who was swiftly obedient. His faith was so personal that he was often fully dependent on the Lord even for his next meal—fed by ravens and sustained by a jar of oil and flour that never ran dry. How ready would we be to fight off the enemies of God, to recite and rely on His promises, and even to expect miracles in His name, if we lived with this kind of faithfulness?

Each of us is called to that kind of personal, committed, lived-out faith. It may seem like faith is inherited—passed down through our nation’s heritage or through family and friends—but true faith is never proximal. Hanging with a spiritual crowd, attending high-energy worship services, or serving on a ministry team are not guarantors of a relationship with the Lord.  Personal faith is born in the discomfort of repentance, in the surrendering of fear, and in the offering up of our possessions. These are the intimate things God desires from us. In the abandonment of self, we begin to hear God’s call clearly—and are emboldened because we know our Creator personally.

“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.” – 1 Kings 18:36–37

In this week’s reading, we’ve seen that change in a nation is inevitable. I pray that “In God We Trust” will continue to stand as a reminder of our nation’s steadfastness for the Lord. But however long it endures, let it always point us to something greater—our personal relationship with God, built through surrender, obedience, and faith. If the Lord is God, stand for Him—even if you stand alone. Because at the end of the day, it’s personal.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. What character traits do you find in Elijah? Is there one you would like to have more of in your life? How would you go about adding more?
  2. What choices are before you today?
  3. Which one will you choose? Why?
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