Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1947-05-09

0AD-N AeA.sSs $3.50
God meets the challenge of un'
belief and sin through the ages In
N different forms. In the days Of
Eliiah II was the awful power Of
he false religion Of Baal which
threw its pail Of heathenish I'M
morality over the people.
The prophet was Gods man OF
courage in a day Of unbelief and
SIN. To be courageous means TO
steadily meet perils Of which one Is
deeply conscious. doing so because
Il the call Of duty. Courage holds
Z deeper and nobler meaning than
bravery, carrying with It the idea
q moral strength and. In the case
Ct The Christian. faith In God as one
devoted TO his cause.
The account Of the conflict with
ne prophets Of Raal on Mount
Carmel Is . dramatic and instruc-
I've story. II shows that when GODS
man meets Gods enemy there 10 an
epsn. above-bosrd. honest victory
I. Nslalng MAIDEN wv. 20-2l. 800.
The appeal to Israel cut no cor
ners and made no compromises.
They must choose between the true
God and the false Baal They could
not hold to both or halt between two
Opinions. The same is true today OF
our relationship to Jesus Christ
The direct challenge at Mount
Carmel follows the same pattern
Of out-in-t he-open dealing with the
problem.
Men whose deeds are evil love
darkness rather than light. God
does not have TO work in the dark.
All Of his workings are in the open
sunlight Everyone is welcome to
come near. and see what is done
Elijah knew God and he acted
Nike Gods man. What tragedy 1t
10 that not all Of Gods servants
have followed his example. II we
had the open and above-board deal
ings OF Elijah In the affairs Of our
churches. we might see more OF the
IRE and power Of his ministry.
Certain II 10 that the adninistra-
lion d church affairs which has to
- carried out In hidden corners BY
whispered conversations and BY
sscret manipulations behind the
scenes 10 not Gods work at all. II Is
~ work Of man.
n. Ne PAYERS Asked tvv. $3.50.
Eujah rebuilt the altar himself.
Ne asked no help Of the unbelieving
prophets Of Baal or of apostate
Israel. How old-fashioned ne seems
IN this day when so much stress is
laid on . false unity Of the faiths,
and there Is so much solicitation
and acceptance BY the church Of
the help Of unbelievers in financing
the supposed work Of God.
Note also that Elijah invited his
enemies TO make the answer to his
prayer more difficult by pouring
water on the sacrifice. This was not
an act Of bravado: II was for the
purpose Of demonstrating that there
was no fraud. He was willing that
the enemies OF the truth should make
the demonstration more diiicult II
that would be to Gods glory.
There Is a delightful old-fashioned
flavor about that act. too. in these
days when men are frequently will
ing TO compromise with unbelief
and even with sin. in order that the
work Of the church may be carried
on without too much difficulty. Here
again We have an explanation OF
the lack Of spiritual power in our
times.
The victory which came was a
glorious testimony 70 the living
reality and the infinite power of
God. \ left
m. No Glory to Man wv 3ob-32,
$500.
A man Of bravery usually wants
recognition for himself. while the
courageous man asks only that the
cause for which he fights shall be
sue cessful.
Elijah had long since demon.
strated that he was absolutely fear.
less, and sought no favor or glory
Tread the entire story. Now in the
fenseness Of this moment, he care
fully rebuilds the altar Of the true
God ". 800. makes II testimony OF
unity TO divided Israel ". 81,
and he does IL all in the name OF
the Lord ". 32)'
His prayer wv. SO, 81 is a pro
simple expression Of com.
plete faith In the true God and his
on the part Of man who
himself as being only
the divine servant, He made no
plea that God would vindicate him
or his ministry, but he did plead
MAT the name OF the Lord should
be honored in the midst Of an I'm.
believing people.
"The fire Of the Lord fell" The
lying prophets Of heathendom were
routed Many recognized Jehovah
D. the true God While Israel did
DIT long remember the lesson
farncd here. the story has con.
inucd as testimony that will
trengthen the people Of God as
png as time continues.
fa 90