It was the time of "the Kings," hundreds of years before Christ…
I didn't realize how bad things had gotten. I knew the people had stoned God's prophets. I didn't know they had killed all of them, except Elijah. He is despondent. He calls out to God to take his life and take him out of this terrible place. God tells him that he is not alone. There are 7000 others who have not "bowed the knee to Baal." 1 Kings 19:18 (they are still faithful to the Lord God). This is supposed to bring some degree of comfort. It probably does. But I'm sorry; I'm looking at things differently!
When the Israelites left Egypt, we are told they were over one million souls. In the following years, they had won many battles under Joshua. They grew into a nation under King David, increasing their lands. They prospered greatly and became wealthy under King Solomon. I don't know what the population was but certainly more than the one million that departed from Egypt. And you mean to tell me that all that is left that are faithful to the Lord is seven thousand? That means that (at least) 993,000 had turned away from the lord! That means that over 99 percent were worshiping Baal. Didn't the first commandment say "Thou shalt have no other gods before me"? Unbelievable!!
And what is God's response? Not punishment for the 99 percent…forgiveness for the one percent! He sends his son…his only son, to give his life for us. He provides a way to restore our relationship so we can be with Him for all of eternity. Amazing!
I wonder if we would be so kind to the 99 percent who turned their backs on us. I can just hear myself saying "Hey, they made their bed, let 'em lie in it." What do you think you would do with the 99 percent turned their backs on you?
How great is God's forgiveness? Oh, how great is His love? It gives new meaning and understanding to the phrase we see on the race cars of the descendants of the one percent…God is love!
You, the body of RFC, are counted with that one percent, the chosen few.
