Sharing from my notes as
Pastor Jerry ministered from I Kings 19:1-15 about the decline of Israel as they forsook
God and worshipped other gods. God
caused there to be a draught and there was no water in the land. The Prophet Elijah was sent to Ahab with a
message that rain was on the way.
Elijah ordered the prophets
of Baal to build an altar to their God; and Elijah also built an altar to the
true God. He said to the people, the God
who answers by fire is the one whom you should serve.
After much dancing, cutting
themselves, and chanting - - the priests of Baal gave up, because their god did
not send the fire.
Elijah instructed his men to bring barrels of sea
water and pour over his sacrifice. He
offered a simple prayer, and God sent fire burning up the sacrifice and also licked
up all the water.
Some thought Elijah may have
abused his power, because he ordered all the priests of Baal to be gathered and
slaughtered.
When wicked Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife
heard the news about her prophets being slain, she was furious and vowed to
kill Elijah.
By this time Elijah was extremely tired, and fear set in as he ran for his life. He found shelter under the shade of a Broom tree. Trying to relax he took a nap and before long he was twice awakened by an angel who offered him food for his journey.
On the strength of the Angel food he was able to travel for 40 days,
until he reached Mt Horeb, and there he hid in a cave. By this time he was really tired, weary and
discouraged.
God spoke and asked him why was he here? Elijah began to enumerate all the good he had done, and all the self pity poured out, because he felt he was the only one left serving God. The many “Why” questions came flowing out along with poor me.
God spoke and asked him why was he here? Elijah began to enumerate all the good he had done, and all the self pity poured out, because he felt he was the only one left serving God. The many “Why” questions came flowing out along with poor me.
In a voice soft as a whisper,
God spoke and told him to go up upon the Mountain of God and he would show himself
to Elijah.
First there was a big wind,
then an earthquake, then a fire, but God was not in any of those
manifestations. Then there was silence.
In life we tend to get tired
with all our busy activity, and we pile on the questions and jabber on talking
and talking in our prayers. God was
asking Elijah to be still, and he often asks that of us - - so that we are free to
listen.
We often complicate the
matter. We want an answer, and we want it
now.
Yes, God’s world needs
healing. We each need a personal awakening,
and perhaps we also need to slow down, relax, and allow God to whisper to us. God is there for what ever is our situation.
As we seek God’s guidance, we
may have to settle down, find our own Broom tree, rest, be quiet and refreshed,
and simply listen patiently.
This post is shared with Charlotte ’s Spiritual Sundays
This post is Also Linked with Michelle’s
Hear it on Sunday Use it on Monday
6 comments:
Good call. We are so busy doing and being that we forget to "be still and know that He is God." Being still can be painful, I think that's why many chase the wind...
Dear Hazel
This is a busy world that tells us daily that success is measured by business and worldly things. But we have a choice as to where we want to store out treassure. Taking part in the rat race is not necessary and we will enjoy life even on this side of eternity much more when we refuse to listen to that lie once and for all!
Blessings XX
Mia
I have to admit I struggle at being still and resting, but with God's help I'm getting better at it.
Good message.
I'm not sure my comment went through.
Great message, one I'm working on. I'm not the best at being still and resting as I wait for God.
Love the way these O.T. stories apply to us today. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte
I wrote about Elijah today, too. As a child I loved the Story of Elijah's mantle falling on Elisha. We sang the song, "Let Thy Mantle Fall On Me." I'm taking your encouragement to heart--I'm talking time to sit under a tree and be quiet.
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