“Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay injured; so he sent messengers, telling them, ‘Go, inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.’ But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, ‘Get up, go meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron?” Now therefore thus says the LORD, “You shall not leave the bed to which you have gone, but you shall surely die.”’” 2 Kings 1:2-4

Praise God I/we am able to pray directly to him. God listens for prayer, for request for healing, for request to provide comfort during times of illness and injury. He listens and is prepared to take action. He hears our prayers, he also hears and sees when we seek answers from make believe gods. These kings we continue to read about, continue to violate God’s covenant desires which separates not only these kings but the people of their kingdoms from God. The separation will eventually lead to exile. Sin, individual and corporate, separates one and all from the relationship God desires. As a seminary professor of mine often says, “singled out you get picked off.” O God, that I would always turn to you I times of plenty and times of need, that I never rely on myself, not count on myself but always rely on you. That I never separate myself or lead others away from you. This is my prayer this morning.