As Yogi Berra, the famous New York Yankee catcher expressed it in one of his inimitable yogi-isms, "If you come to a fork in the road, take it." More importantly, Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters" (Mtt. 6:24). C. S. Lewis stated the Biblical truth accurately and memorably when he wrote:
There is no neutral ground in the universe:
every square inch, every split second
is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.

Many of us are pretty good at saying what Christians say, and maybe never really doubt the truth of the Gospel. But often, we must confess, we are not fully devoted. Maybe here, on Mt. Carmel, we can understand the mystery of our divided hearts a little more; abandon our wavering and dancing around to avoid a full commitment, trying to have it both ways. I see in this time of Israel's life some of the same delusions we use on ourselves to avoid serious commitment.

DENIAL OF REALITY
There is evidence in this story of strong denial on the part of Ahab and probably Israel. Ahab's marriage to Jezebel was instrumental in promoting Baalism. Jezebel imported her religion from Tyre and Sidon, keeping 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah on the royal payroll. Yet, to the sons born of that marriage, Ahab gave names suggesting allegiance to Jehovah, the God of Israel. Names in that day were extremely significant in expressing hopes and the ideals of the parents. Ahab named his first son Ahaziah, meaning, "The Lord grasps." The second son he named Joram, meaning, "The Lord is exalted." From that, I can imagine Ahab didn't intend to replace the worship of the Lord with Baal, but just add in a little Baal worship. "Wavering" suggests he is trying to keep both going. Here is a syncretism, blending the worship of the God of Israel with Baal, denying any “either or” choice.

Apparently the majority of the people didn't have too much problem with it. After all, when Israel came out of Egypt into the land of Canaan, Baal was the religion of the place. Baal was intimately tied to the agricultural practices of that area. Here they were in a new place, trying to learn how to grow crops. Remember these are pre-scientific days. It would be frightening to reject totally something you were told was so integral to the success of the crops and fertility of the animals. For Baal was the God of the storm clouds, bringing rain and Asherah was the female fertility goddess. Together, Baal and Asherah were the source fertility for all things: plants, animals and humans. Proper worship involved sacred temple prostitution with orgiastic rites. I expect many, especially the men, didn't find such worship too burdensome.

I would imagine many rationalized this as a supplement to the worship of Jehovah. Jehovah was certainly number one they would say, but this is just a relatively harmless addition– a bit of crop insurance. Some perhaps were even making a virtue out of their open-mindedness and syncretism, as so many do today. In the process, they were conveniently forgetting the first two commandments that the Lord is to have our exclusive allegiance.

Often we are in denial of our true spiritual condition. Our hearts are divided, but we don’t recognize it. Hedonism is perhaps our Baal in America. It begins with, "You have a right to be happy." I hear people take this up saying, “God wants me to be happy, doesn’t he, pastor?” When I hear that, I often hear some big rationalization that goes something like this: “Since I ought to be happy, and this will make me happy.” (In place of “this” put in:  more things/ more money/ a different spouse/ more power/ greater popularity/ satisfying some desire/ fulfilling some ego need). Happiness has become our pursuit and god. Whatever we think will make us happy is what we deserve. You can see where that can easily lead us. Self-denial and suffering are out. Now let me hasten to add that God does not delight in making us miserable. There is some truth to the happiness idea, though I think joy is more the Biblical word and ideal. Joy runs deeper than happiness. But we must let God determine the content of our lives that will lead to happiness. If Jesus is not Lord of all, he is not Lord at all. We may say He is number one, but the reality of our commitment is better measured by what occupies our time, energy, and thoughts. Our denial mechanism keeps us thinking we're more committed, willing to give more, and willing to do more than is really the case.

A close ally of denial is the false comfort we take in good intentions. I'm sure every pastor hears it a lot from those who rarely attend church: "Sorry I've not been to church lately, pastor.  I've been intending to come." Meaning to be in church and being in church are two different things. Intentions don't hack it, do they?  I can think of broken-hearted men I’ve known, whose wives have just left them, saying to me:  "I meant to do better...  I didn't intend to be so neglectful of my family.  Doesn't that count for something?"

I read about a young man picking out a Valentine card. He found one that had the message: "To the only girl I ever loved!" Then, he bought six of them. We might wonder about his intentions! Mere intentions are not enough for a well-lived life. We must act, we must do what we know is right. But, intentions have a way of deceiving us, making us feel we're better than we are.

Procrastination, putting things off is another dodge we use to avoid decisions and commitment.
As we're eating that fourth donut of the morning, we think, "Tomorrow, I'll not eat a single donut or sweet!" and we immediately feel better. “I'm going to start my devotions tomorrow.” “When things slow down a little, I'll really get serious about prayer.” “When my husband/ wife becomes a Christian, then I'll join a Bible study group and get more involved.” “Soon as I get this paid off, I'll begin tithing to the Lord...” It all feels so much better in our hearts than saying no. But, friends, the end result is exactly the same. No decision or a delayed decision is a decision nonetheless.

DECISION TIME
There's a sense in which in this magnificent scene on Mt. Carmel, Elijah is confronting our self-deception as well as Israel's. He’s calling our bluff. I love this scene in all its boldness and unambiguity. When I was in Israel, it was one of the places at the top of my list that I wanted to visit. And, while it was not on our tour, my mother and managed to get there!

Mt. Carmel is right on the Mediterranean coast, just south of the modern city of Haifa. It rises 1800' directly out of the sea. Behind it stretches the famous valley of Jezreel, also named Megiddo and Armageddon. Winding through this fertile plain is the river Kishon, rounding the foot of Mt. Carmel before entering the sea. About half way down from the top, on the Southeast side, is a natural amphitheater. This may have been the place of this contest. It sits atop a 200' cliff looking over the once fertile valley, now a parched desert from three and a half years of drought.

At the king's summons, the people begin to gather from all over Israel. Perhaps there are a couple hundred thousand. This is better than a super bowl. It is like the great showdown of the good guy vs. bad guys on main street pictured in our westerns. The proposed contest– a trial by fire–  is one the prophets of Baal couldn't refuse. After all, Baal was said to ride the thunderstorm as his chariot and lightening was his weapon. Here now,  is one prophet of Jehovah God against 450 prophets of Baal plus 400 prophets of Asherah. One against 850! I picture Elijah in the plain garb of the day, for he held no priestly office, just a man of God. The prophets of Baal and Asherah decked out in their finest liturgical garb, the bright sun symbol flashing on their foreheads. Then, the king arrives, borne up the steep ascent on his litter, along with all the important officials of state in procession.

Elijah faces the people of Israel with that great challenge:
How long will you waver between two opinions?
If the Lord is God, follow him;
but if Baal is God, follow him.
He doesn't even have a coin toss to start this contest. Elijah gives them all the choices. They choose the bull, the wood and build the altar however they want. They get to call on Baal first, however they want to do it. From morning until noon, they dance around the altar, calling out, "O Baal hear us!"

Elijah seems to have a real flair for the dramatic. All morning, I expect he's showing his boredom with it all. Then, at noon, he begins to taunt them: "Shout louder, maybe he's deep in thought, preoccupied!” Then, "Hey, he might be on a trip!" Again, later, "I know, I bet he fell asleep." Elijah is really rubbing it in! At his goading, they begin to slash themselves with knives, as was customary. The self-inflicted wounds were to arouse Baal's attention. Then, they fell into ecstatic ravings out of a kind of trance that was part of their worship.

Finally, after giving them a full day, Elijah says, "OK...time's up." By now, the sun had moved behind Mt. Carmel and twilight is falling. Also, the time was approaching for the daily evening sacrifice in the temple. Elijah selects a broken-down altar of God– something from the past that had long since fallen into disrepair. He then carefully selects 12 stones, representing 12 tribes of Israel, and rebuilds the altar. Remember the nation of Israel is now divided with Ahab ruling the 10 northern tribes and Judah and Benjamin to the south. But Elijah is saying, Jehovah God is the God of all 12. He doesn’t recognize our human divisions, all of His people are one. Today, that might be akin to our denominationalism: Presbyterians, Baptists, Lutherans, whatever are all one in God’s eyes, one altar. Then wood is laid on the altar, sacrificial bull cut in pieces and laid on top. Then three times,  having jars of water poured over the whole sacrifice,  about 120 gal. so there can be no doubt about tricks being played. The water was probably hauled up from the River Kishon or from the sea.

Then, that simple prayer, perfectly timed to coincide with the time of the evening sacrifice in the temple:
"O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.
Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried,
"The LORD‑he is God! The LORD‑he is God!" (1 Kings 18:36‑39)

CONCLUSION
God in His grace brings us to these decision points. We suddenly realize our hearts have been divided and our devotion has been mis-channeled. Our professed allegiance does not line up with our life-style. We’ve been limping along, wavering between two loyalties. Our lives are crippled because of it. We recognize a drought, a dryness in our life because of it. The closeness we once knew is gone, and that sweet sense of His presence has evaporated from our life. Or, perhaps there are some here who have never really known that sense of deep peace and joy the presence of the Lord brings that we hear other Christians talking about.

Often, I find it is some crisis in our lives that brings us to these decisive moments. A struggling or failed marriage. A significant loss in our lives. A rebellious child. A health crisis. At these moments we recognize our barren hearts and are moved to do whatever it takes to clearly, boldly “will one thing” and belong entirely, wholly to God alone.

The deception has been subtle. Realize your life has been filled with God and– success, people, possessions,  self. But God is not satisfied with 51% of our hearts, or 75% or 99%. If the Lord is God, He must be number one and must have the throne, the control of all of your life. We rebel at such absolutes, such black and white decision points. But it is the way things are. It is reality.  Anything else is illusion. Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck writes: 
"There are only two states of being: submission to God and goodness or the refusal to submit to anything beyond one's own will– which refusal automat­ically enslaves one to the forces of evil.  We must ultimately belong either to God or the devil­."
And, listen again to C.S. Lewis:
"There is no neutral ground in the universe:
every square inch, every split second is claimed by God
and counter-claimed by Satan."