When There Is Godlessness

Scripture: Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, "Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury." 2 Kings 1:2

Observation: Ahab's son becomes king but is seriously injured, so we wants to know his fate. This is his order, to send a messenger to Ekron - one of the key Philistine cities along with Ashdod, Ashkelon, and Gaza - to inquire of their "god of flies". Instead, at the instruction of the Lord, Elijah will stop the messengers and indicate that they are doing this because there is no faith in Samaria, and pronounce Ahaziah's impending death.

Ahab took Israel to new depths of Godlessness, not just allowing other gods, but turning the people to actively worship other gods and terrible practices, while also actively expelling remnants of Yahweh and persecuting those who believe. The only known act of his only son is to seek advice from their enemy's god. Israel may have surviving prophets and priests, and likely many who still have faith, but their 'cultural norm' is comprised of idol worship and pagan rituals and meaningless chants all designed to manifest the things they want in life.

This is Israel. They were a nation that could honor God and receive anything they wanted. Less than 100 years prior, with a culture to honor the Lord, they were rich throughout their land with total peace on all sides. That is all gone, because they actively sought to have lives without God anywhere near them, and certainly not part of their daily lives

Application: The United States is huge, and thus does not have one culture. However, I live in a region of the country exactly like Samaria. There are believers here, and we thrive and serve and worship and carry joy into our communities. However, our culture is so removed from God that he is not in any way part of a daily consciousness. Elected leaders scoff at the idea of prayer. The largest celebrations are about Godless practices and celebrating sin ... I don't mean people sin during them, they actually sing praises for the sin. When we hit a situation no one can solve - like, say, a neighborhood walling itself off and declaring rebellion - not one leader prays about it or discusses the idea of appealing to the Lord for guidance.

I hear other areas of the country are different ... but I know some are the same as well. Certainly, the crossroads are here, and we need revival. Continuing on this path - where everyone not only rejects God but actively worships Godless alternatives and earthly pursuits as a way of achieving fulfillment and pleasure and happiness - ends poorly every time.

Prayer: Lord, please intervene and save our nation and our land. Many of us are here in what feels more and more like a hostile land. May we serve you well, driving your word and your love into our communities. And as your wrath is to come, please remember your faithful servants. Amen.