Daily Devotion for July 21, 2006

Straddle the Fence

 

Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How long are you going to waiver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. 1 Kings 18:21

 

I grew up on a farm. It was the era when 200 acres could support a family. We raised both crops and livestock, and that combination required fences to keep the two separated. I vividly remember a time when I was climbing over a rail fence. I was straddling the top rail, supporting myself by standing on the middle rail. Suddenly my feet slipped off the middle rail and I was supporting myself in a very uncomfortable manner.

 

 The people in today’s reading were straddling a spiritual fence.
 
Their discomfort was evidenced by their silence. But I can’t be too judgmental of them. I am often silent when I should announce my allegiance to Jesus.

 

 I straddle the fence, in pain, but am unwilling to swing to one side or the other. I am paralyzed by fear, habit, pride, confusion … all of the above.

 

 Elijah’s bold act of faith allowed the Lord to convince the people who he was, God. Must the fire of the Lord get me off the fence? Can’t I just obey, now, from faith? I have history to teach me that, “The Lord, he is God. The Lord, he is God.”

 

Prayer:
Thank you for being the Lord. You are the one and only true God. Never let me be comfortable straddling the fence. I want to be committed to you!

 

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