Who wins -- God or Baal?

Today I sought instruction and encouragement from God regarding our business situation.  Ours is the same story as millions of others across our great country: higher costs, fewer customers --a  threatened desire to thrive, stay in business, grow, and bless employees and clients.

But since I have access to the Chief Operating Officer of Creation, I sought his advice.  Again.

His advice was the same. Again.

"Trust me." 

A number of  times he has pointed me to Deuteronomy, chapter 8.  This is a passage reminding Israel that He led them in the desert for 40 years in order to humble them and test them, causing them to hunger and then feeding them with manna... a previously unfamiliar food...to teach them that "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord;"  to discipline them as a father disciplines his son.  He cautions them to remember when things are good, when food is plenty, when all they have is multiplied -- NOT to think that it was because of their power, righteousness or integrity:  "But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.  He goes on to warn them not to forget the Lord and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, or they will be destroyed.

When I read this passage I am reminded that God is in control, he is the provider, he is to be worshipped alone, and that there is more to life than "bread," earthly sustenance.  It is both comforting and humbling to realise that God is in control.  It takes pressure off of me to make things happen in my own strength and way.  However much I want things to go "well", they will go as He determines;  and this requires humble surrender to His will.

Back to the question:  what do I do in this business environment, Lord? 

Answer:
 I am your shepherd. Psalm 23:1        "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8   "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:8

This advice is opposite the advice the world gives.  The world says strive, climb to the top of the heap, be the best you can be.  The struggle I have is to choose to listen to the advice of the one who holds my times in his hands, or to do it myself, or worse, to rely on and worship false sources of comfort and gain.  The draw to follow other advice is ever present, and when the pain of it all nags for relief, it is tempting to try to make it go away.  But I am powerless when God does not give power.

Today, when I asked for guidance, he led me to another passage.  It is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  1 Kings 18.  In a standoff between Elijah and King Ahab, Elijah instructs Ahab to assemble 450 of the prophets of the false god, Baal.  Elijah says to the people, " How long will you waver (dance) between two opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow him."  Then Elijah gives the people a chance to see God's power.  He challenges the prophets of Baal to offer a sacrifice and call down fire to consume it.    The prophets call out from morning till noon, dancing around the altar they made, but nothing happens.  Elijah taunts them to shout louder, and they do...they also wound themselves in extreme devotion, and rise to a frenzy but nothing happens. The false god is powerless.

So Elijah repairs an altar of the Lord that was in ruins, digs a trench around it and instructs the people to pour water on the wood, then he tells them to do it again,  and a third time until the water runs down to fill the trench.  He then  prays for God to answer him so that the people will know who has the power and that God  is turning their hearts back again."

"Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood , the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.  When the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ' " The LORD -- he is God!  The LORD -- he is God!" '

False gods, false hope, false dreams come to nothing but pain.  Only God, the LORD, the King of the redeemed heart can bring, fire to consume a drenched sacrifice, water in drought, answers to the seeking believer, and to the struggling business owner in 2010. 

"If the Lord is God, follow him." 

 The LORD -- he is God!  The LORD -- he is God!" '

"Thank you, Father, for your advice and discipline.  Cause my heart to turn ever in your direction.  I sacrifice my will to your perfect , loving plan." Amen

Love,
Your Daughter