“After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.”3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went.” 2 Kings 1:1-4 NIV
“Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’” 10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. 11 At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’” 12 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men. 13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!” 15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.” 2 Kings 1:9-15 NIV
God of all creation,
On reading these narrations of history in Kings I see what one mans turning from you to idol worship can cost. It costs the lives of 2 captains and 100 men. Thankfully the third captain fears the God of Elijah and pleads for mercy. His life and the men he has influence over are saved. Could You spell it out any clearer Lord. You are the mercy giver.
Not only can we find life in You through Jesus but we can save the lives of those around us. Those who would also turn to You for mercy. The outlook for anyone worshiping another God or no God is bleak. Perhaps we don’t like to think of it as that black and white. Your Word says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).
It is like an early early picture of Jesus our captain (Hebrews 2:10 NKJV) pleading on our behalf for mercy (Hebrews 7:25). “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
The first time we turned to Him he interceded for us and we were saved. And every moment since he has done the same. The first person to find mercy at the cross was the thief crucified next to Jesus (Luke 23:42-43). Thank you that You give last opportunities to know You, and opportunity to know everlasting life every moment as He intercedes.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Sunday 29th June 2025
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea:
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in Heav’n he stands
No power can force me to depart,
No power can force me to depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God the just is satisfied
To look on him and pardon me,
To look on him and pardon me.
Behold him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, sinless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with my Lord I cannot die;
My soul is purchased with his blood.
My life is safe with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God.
One with my Lord I cannot die;
My soul is purchased with his blood.
My life is safe with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God,
With Christ, my Saviour and my God.
Lyrics: Charitie Lees Smith