December 11

Taking Sides

So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. — Exod 32:26 BSB

Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. — 1 Kgs 18:21 BSB

Moses and Elijah delivered a similar call that echoes through the generations: as soon as we can think for ourselves, the Divine Voice challenges us—Are you for Me or against Me? Which side will you take? Our Lord reinforces this challenge, making the decision unavoidable: “He that is not with Me is against Me.”

How long will you hesitate between two opinions? We must choose one side or the other. When the division bell rings in the House of Commons, the Ayes must go to one side and the Noes to the other. Each person must decide which side to take! If the Lord is God, follow Him; if Baal, then follow him. We cannot remain neutral without being self-deceived.

Who is willing to take sides and come out to Christ, bearing His reproach (Hebrews 13:13)? To be on the Lord’s side means acknowledging Him as both our King and Savior. It means offering Him our reverence, obedience, love, and devotion. It means abandoning all reliance on our own works and ways and striving to align our heart, mind, and life with His will and character. This is what our Savior asks of us! We are to belong wholly to God, to give Him everything we have, to choose His cause, and to find in Him our beginning and end.

Jesus Christ has every right to claim us—the right of Creator, for He made us; the right of Benefactor, for He sustains us both physically and spiritually; and most of all, the right of Redeemer, for He purchased us with His blood.

Our decision requires a declaration. Christ does not want His followers to live in secret. In an age when the temptation to compromise with the world is great, we must firmly take His side. And in the great day to come, He will take our side and acknowledge us before His Father and the holy angels!

Prayer

O Lord, we acknowledge Your dominion over us. Our life, our death, our soul and body—all belong to You. Grant that we may willingly consecrate all to You and use everything in Your service. Amen.