1 Kings 18:17

1 Kings 18:17 say, And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?  Ahab saw Elijah and asked him if he was the one that troubled Israel.  The answer was really no, but that Ahab himself and the people worshipping false gods were the cause of the troubles that Israel was having.  People always have liked to blame Christians for the problems in the world and probably always will instead of looking at themselves and their sins as the source of the problems.  Verse nineteen adds, And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.  Elijah told Ahab as was just discussed that he and his father's house were the problem because of their forsaking God's commandments and worshipping Baal.  This could have been a dangerous thing to say, but Elijah was faithful in declaring God's word, as we must be as followers of Christ today.  Verse nineteen continues, Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.  Elijah told Ahab to gather all the people of Israel at Mount Carmel, and to bring the four-hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of the groves who sat at Jezebel's table.  They had certainly created enough false prophets while attempting to kill all the prophets of God at the same time.  We as Christians may be seriously outnumbered, but we will never be outpowered.  Elijah was not afraid of Ahab or all his false prophets because he was where God had sent him.  If we are where God wants us to be, we should never be afraid no matter how much we might be outnumbered.  Verse twenty states, So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.  Ahab did as Elijah asked.  I believe he did this because he didn't think Elijah was any threat to the false prophets or to himself.  He had faith in the wrong things, as do many people today.  Verse twenty-one adds, And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.  Elijah asked the people how long they were going to be torn between two opinions about who God was.  He said if God was God, follow Him and if Baal was god, follow him.  They could not claim to do both.  We have to make the same decision today.  Either God is God, or something else is.  Elijah said once they decided that they should  follow the one Who was the real God, and there is only One.  Verse twenty-two continues, Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.  Elijah said that he alone stood as a prophet of God against four-hundred fifty prophets of Baal.  If we ever believe that we are outnumbered as Christians, we should just look back at Elijah.  In spite of being greatly outnumbered, he stood faithful to God.  Verse twenty-three declares, Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:  Elijah proposed a test to see who the real God was.  They were to take two bullocks and the prophets of Baal were to choose one to be sacrificed to their god and Elijah would use the other to be sacrificed to his God.  They were to cut the bullocks up and put them on the wood for the sacrifice, but they weren't to set it on fire.  Elijah was to do the same with the other bullock.  There was no way they could claim foul play.  Still, Christians today are often accused of cheating when they stand firm for God in any contest.  Verse twenty-four adds, And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.  Elijah then said that they were to call on their gods and He would call on his God to send down fire to consume the sacrifice, and to let the one Who answered be God, and the people agreed.  Ultimately today we have to choose who our God is, and there is really only One Who is the true God.