When David became King he proved to be one of the best kings Israel ever had. After David some of Israel's kings worshiped God and some worshiped Idols. Then the kingdom of Israel split in two and the kingdom of the north was called Israel and the kingdom of the south was called Judah. Israel had some of the worst kings. One of those was called King Ahab. King Ahab had a wicked queen called Jezebel who made everyone worship the idol Baal. She also had many of the prophets of God killed. God was very upset with Ahab, Jezebel and Israel for worshiping Baal so he sent the prophet Elijah with a message for King Ahab.
"As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."*
Wicked Queen Jezebel may have laughed, but Elijah was a prophet of the Living God, not of a dead idol.
Elijah's words came to pass and the land became very dry. A true prophet like Elijah was in contact with God and sometimes he brought messages that people liked and sometimes he brought messages that people did not like. This was a message people did not like. The people have sinned and turned to worship idols and God sent his judgement. You may think this is cruel but God is doing it because He loves His people Israel. Like a good father He disciplined them so that they will repent and turn back to Him.
"MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,
NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;
FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,..
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Righteousness means to be right with God. Someday because of sin in your life you may experience God's discipline. The good news is our heavenly Father loves you very much and wants you to be right with Him, in other words He wants you to be righteous.
Special Note: The Old Testament will refer to the descendents of Jacob who were slaves in Egypt as: My people, Hebrews, Sons of Israel, Children of Israel, Israel, Israelites and Jews.
1 Kings 17:1, Hebrews 12:5,6,11 (NASB)
Lesson Questions for the Full Story:
Content: Yo!, Youth Outreach, Youth
Outreach, Children's Devotionals,
Children's Bible Devotionals, Children's Daily
Devotionals, Children's Bible Lessons, Children's
Bible Stories, Children's Missionary Stories,
Children's Bible Verses, Children's Scripture Memory,
Devotionals for Youth, Bible Devotionals for Youth,
Daily Devotionals for Youth, Bible Lessons for Youth,
Bible Stories for Youth, Missionary Stories for Youth,
Bible Verses for Youth, Scripture Memory for Youth,
The Gospel, The Good News, The Gospel of Lord Jesus
Christ, New Testament Stories, Old Testament Stories,
Jesus, God's only begotten Son, Stories of Jesus,
Jesus Parables, Born Again, The way the truth and the
life, God's love, Everlasting life, The Father the Son
and the Holy Spirit, The Holy Ghost, The Everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace, The bright and morning
star, God so loved the world, yoroom
