I Kings 15-17 The Power of One

April 18th, I Kings 15-17

       Many of us remember this image. The image of one man holding up the powers that be. The ongoing footage shows him moving back and forth with the tank, staying in it's path. A stand of defiance against tyranny in a country where defiance is brought to a halt abruptly, forcibly.
       It reminds me of this mornings readings. Kings who seemed to care nothing for God or his way (except for one). A constant theme of those who did evil in the eyes of the Lord. A sidenote that leadership and Godliness can be separate things and they shouldn't be.
       There is power that brings life and power that destroys. This picture represents that Popeye moment in the hearts of people "That's all I can stands, and I can't stands no more." Dying here would be more valuable to me than living the way I do... in shackles, imprisoned. A heart that wants to be renewed.
       In the spiritual realm God raises up prophets to make voice to things that ought to be different. After many years of ungodly kings, Elijah arrives on the scene. Unlike the period of the Judges where God called a person and they rose to power to deal with the problem of the day, the prophets are a little different. Their message from the Lord carries weight without any political, social clout to back it up. Prophets are a burr under the saddle of those with great power, much like the guy in the picture. Let's be honest, putting this tank in gear and stepping on the gas pedal will take care of this problem with little or no energy. And yet maybe the one in our way has something to say.
       Power, godliness, prophets. These three things can bring a harmony that is the most beautiful thing. In God's kingdom there will be no need for the third on the list, in the mean time people with number 1 might not have number two which means we need number three. But much like days of old number three is annoying and easy to run over. Maybe the man in the picture has something profound to say, maybe all the power in the world should stop and listen. Maybe they won't and a martyr is made, maybe they will and great change will take place.