The Real Saint Patrick Legends speak of a man that banished the snakes from Ireland and traveled around using the shamrock as an illustration of the Trinity, representing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But what does HISTORY tells us about this man, Patrick?!?!? We know that in or around 380 AD; Patrick was born to parents of a noble status. His real name was believed to have been Maewyn Succat, after becoming a priest he took the name Patrick.
At the age of sixteen as this young man watched his house burn, he was taken captive by Irish raiders. Patrick was uprooted to Ireland as a slave to tend over flocks and herds for six years. One evening Patrick escaped and fled 200 miles to catch a boat back to Britain, but the boat never made it. Instead Patrick found himself in France, where he received his training and ordination into the ministry.
In about 430 AD Patrick was sent back to the land that had held him captive. To say this land did not know of Jesus would be an understatement. Not only did they not know of Jesus, they were deeply rooted in the worship of druids and pagan gods. Patrick had his hands full! It is said that after defeating two druid priests, Patrick entered into the king's hall and faced King Loegaire saying, "Unless you believe now, you will soon die, for God's wrath will come down upon your head." To this the king humbly bowed before Patrick and His Lord.
Patrick traveled the country telling the people of the good news of Christ's salvation from sin, His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. After thirty years of poverty, traveling and suffering, history tells us Patrick had converted thousands and established hundreds of churches. Looking back on his life, Patrick states "Those who never had a knowledge of God but worshipped idols and things impure, have now become a people of the Lord."
In a similar way a prophet of old had an experience with a seemingly pagan nation. The difference, this nation knew better, in fact this nation was the chosen nation of God…Israel. Let's step back in time and observe what can been referred to as Elijah's Mount Carmel Victory, found in 1 Kings 17-18. The place…Mount Carmel. The time…during the reign of King Ahab. The challenge…FIRE FROM HEAVEN! King Ahab had a problem, a prophet named Elijah. This man, this prophet, had caused it not to rain on the land for three years! Due to the drought, the land was so bad that King Ahab and his servant Obidiah had to search the land over to find a bit of grass to feed the horses and mules. After the search Elijah presented himself before the King and made this decree…
"I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals. Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." 1 Kings 18:18-19 (NKJV)
The account that follows is amazing! As the prophets of Baal and Asherah and the nation of Israel and King Ahab looked on, Elijah challenged them to make a choice. "If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." To prove who was to be followed (God or Baal); Elijah commanded that a pile of wood be erected and a bull be cut into pieces and placed upon it. Then Elijah instructed these four hundred and fifty prophets to "call to their god (Baal) to put fire upon the bull". All day they cried aloud, and danced around the bull, they cut themselves with knives and lances, and called aloud but "no one answered."
Then Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord and gathered the people around himself. After digging a trench around the altar, Elijah prepared the bull and placed it on the wood. He then instructed the children of Israel to cover the altar, the sacrifice, and even fill the trench with water! And when the time for the evening sacrifice came, Elijah called upon the Lord God and fire from heaven came "and consumed the sacrifice, and the wood and the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench." Then Israel fell on their faces and turned back to God. Elijah gave them a choice and they chose. They chose to serve the One True and Living God!
We too are given a choice we can either follow the "gods" of this world; money, power, and wealth, or we can follow the God that created all we see and all we can't see. Saint Patrick and Elijah each made their choice now the choice is ours to make, and today is the day to decide. Joshua gives a similar challenge in Joshua 24:14-15, "choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
May I ask you two questions?
Whom are you serving today?
Whom will you serve tomorrow?Donavon H. Roberson, Youth Pastor
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