Today’s 333 Devotional: “Men and Women of Faith”

When King Ahaziah of Israel was injured, he sent messengers to Ekron to inquire of their god, Ball-Zebub, if he would recover from his injuries. While on their way they were met by the prophet Elijah who told them to go back and ask if King Ahaziah was going to Baal-Zebub because the Lord is no longer present in Israel, and then proceeded to tell King Ahaziah that he would not recover, but die (1 Kings 1:2-4).

When King Ahaziah heard the report, he asked what the man looked like that gave them this message. After hearing their description he knew that it was none other than Elijah. So he send a squad of fifty soldiers to escort Elijah back to meet with him.

When the captain and his soldiers met Elijah they commanded that he come down saying, “Man of God, the king as said, ‘Come down,’” Elijah responded, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire immediately came down and consumed them. (1 Kings 1:10-12)

This happened not just once, but twice, until the third captain pleaded for he and his men’s’ lives and begged Elijah to come.

This got me thinking. Are we truly men and women of God? And if so, do others see it? sf our faith where we can say to mountains be removed, or where people can be healed, or where the fire of God can come down like at Pentecost and purify lives where a new revival can sweep across our land and across the world?

When the disciples couldn’t cast our the demon they asked Jesus why, and He said, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)