A Noisy Gong Or A Clanging Cymbal

In 1st Kings 18, we read of the dramatic contest between Elijah, the true prophet of God, and the 450 prophets of Baal. Each group was to offer sacrifices to their deity and let their god offer the fire. The prophets of Baal did so with much enthusiasm.  For the entire day, they jumped around, cried out with loud voices and even went so far to cut themselves in order to bring forth their god. But in the end the Bible says, “they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.”  For all their excitement and drama, nothing happened and consequently no one cared.

In today’s modern religious world, people think that the more dramatic and exciting the worship service, the more people will want to attend. But this passage shows that while a ruckus may garner some quick attention, if it makes no real difference, people will eventually lose attention. That is why it is so important that our worship is not an abnormality in our lives but a focus of it. When people see our worship as an extension of our changed lives not just an event, they can come to see the new life the true God wants for them.