1 Kings 18.17 “And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, [Art] thou he that troubleth Israel? 18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.”
Isn’t it interesting how the people of the world are always blaming the Bible believing “fundamentalists” as being the cause of all the world’s problems. Well, there is nothing new under the sun, for in our verses this morning we find the wicked King Ahab blaming Elijah for all of the troubles and woe’s in Israel. Why does this tension exist? Because the child of God sees things differently than the children of this age. Isa 5.20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”
According to this world, light is trouble. According to this world, truth is trouble. According to this world, godliness is trouble. Truly, those who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Elijah lays it in the line for Ahab. The real cause of trouble in Israel, America, Africa or any other nation is forsaking the commandments of God.
How about you dear ones? How about your family? How about your home church? What is the root cause of trouble? Simple. Forsaking the commandments of God. So what is the appropriate response to such a dilemma in the world and in my life? The gospel of Jesus Christ. You see, as long as I look within, I only find despair and condemnation. As long as I look at the world as “the bad guys” or the “trouble makers”, I will be prone to attack them as an enemy, as opposed to seeing them as a blind, lost soul who needs Jesus Christ.
Oh yes beloved, there is tension in this world with those who do not know Christ or who actively oppose Him. But there is tension in my own heart and family as well. The solution? The cause of the trouble? Sin. The Answer? The God and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
