The Core Problem: Rejecting God
Verses: 1 Kings 18:17-18
"When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, 'Is it you, you troubler of Israel?' And he answered, 'I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.'"
Elijah stood before King Ahab and diagnosed the core problem of Israel’s predicament. The nation was in turmoil, not because of Elijah, but because they had rejected the true God and turned to idols. This was the root cause of their suffering. Even today, while natural hardships exist, the primary source of uncertainty and chaos in our lives is our rejection of God and our pursuit of things that are not God. Elijah’s words pierce through time, reminding us that the ultimate collapse of any life or society begins with turning away from the One who gives meaning and purpose.
The problem Elijah identified was specific and direct: Israel had abandoned the commandments of the Lord and chased after Baal, a false god. They had exchanged the eternal for the temporary, the Creator for the created. This is not just a historical account; it is a mirror reflecting our own struggles. How often do we, in our daily lives, reject God’s ways and chase after things that cannot satisfy? Wealth, power, fame, or even our own desires can become modern-day idols, pulling us away from the true source of life and peace.
Being connected to the One true God is not just a religious duty; it is the very foundation of a meaningful and stable life. The farther we drift from Him, the more chaotic and empty our lives become. Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab reveals a timeless truth: a life disconnected from God is a life headed for disaster. This is not a spiritual exaggeration but a reality. Only when we are rooted in God can we experience true success, joy, and fulfillment. Without Him, even our greatest achievements feel hollow.
Yet, one of the main failures of current spirituality is our unrealistic expectations about a life with God. We often expect it to be more than natural, filled with constant miracles, emotional highs, and whimsical experiences. While God is certainly capable of the extraordinary, He also calls us to live in the natural rhythms of life, finding Him in the ordinary and the everyday. Our relationship with God should feel real and grounded, not perpetually supernatural or detached from the realities of life. We must expect a natural feel out of our walk with Him—a steady, enduring connection that sustains us through both the mundane and the extraordinary.
The call to turn back to God’s path is not a one-time decision but a consistent journey. It means daily choosing to walk in His ways, trusting His guidance, and finding satisfaction in His presence. Dissatisfaction in our relationship with God often stems from ignorance or neglect. We may not fully understand His ways, or we may allow distractions to pull us away. But God’s expectation is clear: He desires faithfulness. He calls us to be true to our nature as His creation, to live in alignment with His will, and to find contentment in Him alone.
It is important to remember that we should not expect a perfect, trouble-free life on earth. Even Elijah, a mighty prophet, faced trials and opposition. But being connected to God gives us the strength to endure and the hope to persevere. Our lives gain meaning not in chasing after exaggerated dreams or false promises but in remaining steadfast in our relationship with God. The ultimate collapse of any life or society is not caused by external circumstances but by the internal decision to turn away from God.
Are you walking in God’s path today? Are you finding satisfaction in Him, or are you chasing after things that cannot fulfill? The story of Elijah and Ahab challenges us to examine our own lives. Let us not be like Israel, who abandoned God and faced the consequences. Instead, let us be faithful, connected, and satisfied in Him. This is what God expects of us—a life rooted in His truth, walking in His ways, and finding meaning in His presence. Let us embrace a spirituality that is real, natural, and deeply connected to Him, rather than one that seeks only the extraordinary and overlooks the beauty of the everyday.
Prayer:
Lord, we come before You, acknowledging that too often we have turned away from You and chased after things that cannot satisfy. Forgive us for rejecting Your ways and seeking fulfillment in idols of our own making. Draw us back to You, Lord, and help us to walk faithfully in Your path. Give us the strength to remain connected to You, even in the midst of life’s challenges. May we find true meaning and joy in Your presence, and may our lives reflect Your glory. Help us to embrace a spirituality that is real and grounded, finding You in both the ordinary and the extraordinary. Amen.