2 Kings 1

The Explanation

Listen. There was once a king. His name was Ahaziah. He lived in a big house.

One day the king walked upstairs. High up. And then… he fell! Down through the window. Bang, on the floor.

Ouch. The king was hurt. Very hurt. He was in bed, and he could not get up.

The king was scared. Would he get better? He wanted to know. But he did not ask God. No, he asked a strange god. A god that is not real at all. A god with a funny name: Baal-Zebub.

The king sent men to ask.

But God saw it. God saw everything. And God said to Elijah, "Go, Elijah! Meet those men on the road."

Elijah was a man of God. He had a beard. And a belt of leather. Elijah walked to the men. He said, "Why do you not ask the real God? There is a God in Israel! Go back to the king. Tell him he will not get better."

The men went back. The king was angry. Very angry.

He sent fifty soldiers. "Bring Elijah here!" But Elijah sat high on a hill. And fire came down from the sky. Whoosh! The soldiers were gone.

The king sent fifty more. Again, fire from the sky. Whoosh.

Then the king sent fifty more soldiers. But this captain was different. He fell on his knees. He said, "Please, please, spare us."

And God said softly to Elijah, "Go with him. Do not be afraid."

Elijah went to the king. He said what God had told him. And it happened just as God said.

What Does This Mean?

The king had forgotten God. He was sick and scared, and he asked someone else for help. Someone who cannot even hear. Someone who is not real.

But God is real. God hears. God sees when you fall. God knows when you are sick. And God wants you to come to Him.

The Common Thread

Long, long after Elijah, another Man came. His name was Jesus. When people were sick, they came to Jesus. And Jesus made them better. Jesus said, "Come to Me."

God does not want us to run to something else. God wants us to come to Him. He is the real God. He is a good God.

For You

Sometimes you fall. You bump your knee. Ouch. Sometimes you are sick in bed. Sometimes you are scared in the dark.

Then you may call God. Just say, "God, help me." God hears you. Always. He is close by. Even when you cannot see Him.

You do not need a strange god. You do not need a lucky charm. You have the real God. And He loves you very much.

Talk About It

What do you do when you are scared or hurt?

Do you know that you can talk to God about it?

Praying Together

Dear God,

You are the real God. You hear me. When I fall, when I am sick, when I am scared, I may come to You. Thank You that You always listen. Amen.