“Come Near” by Kirk Hunt

And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. (1 Kings 18:29-30 KJV)
Please also read I Kings 18: 25–30

After a day of screaming pagans and frenzied idolaters, a quiet moment settled on Mount Carmel. Elijah stood in stark contrast to the heaving, sweating and bleeding priests of Ba'al. Elijah calmly invited the people of Israel to a quiet, personal moment worshiping Jehovah, the true and living God. “Come near.”

Elijah rebuilt the crumbled altar of Jehovah, symbolic of Israel's neglected relationship with God. He prepared a sacrifice from the animal the pagans rejected. God always accepts our sincere worship, despite what the world says.

Create a quiet moment with Him. Spend your money on a personal relationship with God. Time, alone with Him, is worth more than you think.

A work day of frenzied gyrations and manic screaming had accomplished nothing. The priests of Ba'al failed to rouse their wood or stone idols. As Christians, you and I know their efforts were futile from the start.

“Come near.” God invites you to come near to Him. Ignore your usual approach to worship and simply get close and personal with Him.

Think: Real worship is personal and authentic, not frenzied or frantic.

Pray: “Lord, teach me how to simply come near to You.”

Copyright © September 2007, Kirk Hunt