Epic battles make for epic stories, and the recent Marvel series of movies show us a glimpse just what extraordinary colossal confrontation looks like. My guess is that you enjoy the theatre without considering the reality.
Comics on the table. Photo: Erik Mclean, pixels.com
Is Hercules or Thor real? That question is above my pay grade, but I am confident that the battle of gods continues above us, around us, and in us. As with every battle, allegiance matters.
There’s a celestial contest recorded in the Bible, instigated by a man called Elijah to prove which god was the true God. As a Prophet of the Creator God, Elijah was angry with the people for worshipping Baal, an image of a bull that was said to represent fertility, the sun, and thunder. (Sound familiar?) Elijah sets the competition up, saying, “call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed.
This is a classic set up. Which God is bigger? Which deity would send fire? Can you imagine the atmosphere of tension on the top of the hill? While there are no Chitauri soldiers battling the Avengers in this scene, there is plenty of drama.
Phil Strong
The worshippers of Baal jump around all morning, shouting and cutting themselves to shed blood, as they did. The Bible says they raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response.
To add more theatre to this drama, Elijah mocks them, suggesting their god is detained and delayed, possibly relieving himself!
The silence in itself is an answer, but it’s not the final exclamation. Fire does fall and the God of Elijah proves He is real.
You may not have a shrine in your home with small wooden images of a bull. My neighbour has a stone statue of a short man with a round tummy. Perhaps you say, “I worship no god.” We all worship something. We give our lives in dedication, whether we are aware of it or not.
What do you give your highest devotion to? Is it your family? Is it your career or your asset register? Perhaps you are most devoted to yourself and what you think other people think of you. I know people who are consumed by the toys they own, always seeking more.
These are all forms of worship — these focus points of our devotion become gods to us. False gods will lead you down a path of false confidence. Ultimately, these gods will remain silent in the grand scene of eternity.
The True God came to show Himself in the form of a man; His name is Jesus. He came to show us the way to worship the True God.
Choose this day who you will serve. But as for me and my house, we will serve the one True God; the God who answers prayer.
