1 Kings 18:42 "So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,"
Mount Carmel is absolutely the highlight of Elijah's life up to this point as far as we know. However, his reaction to God's unfathomable power demonstrated at his request is not what most would expect.
When something we've been working toward and preparing for goes right, we love to celebrate, and there's nothing wrong with that at the proper time. Elijah knew this was not the proper time.
His reaction to Mount Carmel was to put his face to the earth and wait on God. Absolutely incredible. After at least 3 years of nothing but daily, desperate waiting on God, Elijah finally sees his patience rewarded. And his response is to wait on God more.
Ponder that.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Gray Areas
1 Kings 18:40 "And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there."
Darkness and light cannot occupy the same space. When we choose light with our whole heart, darkness is by definition chased out and replaced.
Elijah disposing of the false prophets of Baal is a striking example of how we are to deal with evil in our lives. God is perfect and holy and calls His children to be the same. What fellowship does light have with darkness? None whatsoever.
Are there areas of darkness in my life I need to dispose of with the light of Christ? Are there "gray areas" that need examined?
Darkness and light cannot occupy the same space. When we choose light with our whole heart, darkness is by definition chased out and replaced.
Elijah disposing of the false prophets of Baal is a striking example of how we are to deal with evil in our lives. God is perfect and holy and calls His children to be the same. What fellowship does light have with darkness? None whatsoever.
Are there areas of darkness in my life I need to dispose of with the light of Christ? Are there "gray areas" that need examined?
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
The Fire of the Lord
1 Kings 18:38-39
"Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God."
When God works, He does not do things halfway. It would've been enough to consume the sacrifice, but in order to leave absolutely no doubt whatsoever, the wood, the stones, the dust and all the water are devoured by God's fire. It was clear and obvious Who was God.
After such a demonstration, the reaction of the people is what you would expect. When we witness God's breathtaking power, our only response can be awe and praise.
What ways has God's work been shown unquestionably in my life? If I can't recall a time, perhaps I need to begin praying for Him to work in a way that is beyond my comfort zone and open my eyes to ways He is working I may not see.
"Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God."
When God works, He does not do things halfway. It would've been enough to consume the sacrifice, but in order to leave absolutely no doubt whatsoever, the wood, the stones, the dust and all the water are devoured by God's fire. It was clear and obvious Who was God.
After such a demonstration, the reaction of the people is what you would expect. When we witness God's breathtaking power, our only response can be awe and praise.
What ways has God's work been shown unquestionably in my life? If I can't recall a time, perhaps I need to begin praying for Him to work in a way that is beyond my comfort zone and open my eyes to ways He is working I may not see.
Dependence and Obedience
1 Kings 18:36-37
"And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again."
We see what God did through Elijah at Mount Carmel and marvel. As well we should. The demonstration of God's power is awe inspiring. It stirs in each of God's children a desire to be used like that. A desire to see God's power in an amazing, tangible way where the hearts of a nation can be turned back again.
However, when we become frustrated that God perhaps is not working that way in our lives, we must remember two things. First, Elijah was waiting in the wilderness and with the widow for at least three years before God called him out. And during that time, Elijah was learning every single day what it meant to rely completely and utterly on God. Second, the key phrase Elijah says is, "I have done all these things at Thy word..." The challenge to the false prophets of Baal was not a whim of Elijah's, but direct guidance from the God Elijah had become so sensitive to.
A lifestyle of utter dependence on God and a willingness to listen and obey, doing all things at His word. This is what it took to get Elijah to Mount Carmel. Are these things I'm allowing God to build in my life?
"And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again."
We see what God did through Elijah at Mount Carmel and marvel. As well we should. The demonstration of God's power is awe inspiring. It stirs in each of God's children a desire to be used like that. A desire to see God's power in an amazing, tangible way where the hearts of a nation can be turned back again.
However, when we become frustrated that God perhaps is not working that way in our lives, we must remember two things. First, Elijah was waiting in the wilderness and with the widow for at least three years before God called him out. And during that time, Elijah was learning every single day what it meant to rely completely and utterly on God. Second, the key phrase Elijah says is, "I have done all these things at Thy word..." The challenge to the false prophets of Baal was not a whim of Elijah's, but direct guidance from the God Elijah had become so sensitive to.
A lifestyle of utter dependence on God and a willingness to listen and obey, doing all things at His word. This is what it took to get Elijah to Mount Carmel. Are these things I'm allowing God to build in my life?
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Scared of the Answer
1 Kings 18:21 "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word."
A person who truly wants to find the answers will not shy away from the answers when they are found. If Elijah harbored any doubt regarding God's existence, he would not have issued this statement. Because if he had been wrong, it would have resulted in the people following Baal, something he clearly did not want to happen.
But instead, he boldly, fearlessly issues this statement because he knew the truth and was not afraid of the answer to a hard question.
Are there hard questions in my life, the answers to which I might be afraid of? Only a love of Truth and a real desire for Truth will overcome that fear.
A person who truly wants to find the answers will not shy away from the answers when they are found. If Elijah harbored any doubt regarding God's existence, he would not have issued this statement. Because if he had been wrong, it would have resulted in the people following Baal, something he clearly did not want to happen.
But instead, he boldly, fearlessly issues this statement because he knew the truth and was not afraid of the answer to a hard question.
Are there hard questions in my life, the answers to which I might be afraid of? Only a love of Truth and a real desire for Truth will overcome that fear.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
The Boldness of Truth
1 Kings 18:19 "Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table."
Truth never backs away from a crowd. Truth knows that it is useless without witnesses. When a lie is told, we say someone kept back the truth. A lie smothers the truth in a blanket of darkness.
Elijah's boldness here is driven by truth. He knew that the God of truth was on his side. And he wanted the whole nation to see it.
What areas of my life would I prefer for others to not see?
Truth never backs away from a crowd. Truth knows that it is useless without witnesses. When a lie is told, we say someone kept back the truth. A lie smothers the truth in a blanket of darkness.
Elijah's boldness here is driven by truth. He knew that the God of truth was on his side. And he wanted the whole nation to see it.
What areas of my life would I prefer for others to not see?
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
One Choice to Trouble a Nation
1 Kings 18:18 "And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim."
Leaders set the tone for those they lead. Elijah here lays the blame on Ahab and his father's house. Israel as a nation had forsaken God and they bore the consequences of that action. Yet the leaders of Israel were held responsible.
This is why Paul in the New Testament admonishes the members of the church to be very careful when in a position of leadership. Not only do you bear responsibility for personal choices but also a measure of responsibility for those you are leading.
Who am I leading? Do I have followers I am not aware of? Where would those emulating my life end up?
Leaders set the tone for those they lead. Elijah here lays the blame on Ahab and his father's house. Israel as a nation had forsaken God and they bore the consequences of that action. Yet the leaders of Israel were held responsible.
This is why Paul in the New Testament admonishes the members of the church to be very careful when in a position of leadership. Not only do you bear responsibility for personal choices but also a measure of responsibility for those you are leading.
Who am I leading? Do I have followers I am not aware of? Where would those emulating my life end up?
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Art Thou He That Troubleth Israel?
1 Kings 18:17 "And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?"
Sin hates the light of truth and clings tenaciously to the darkness of deceit. Anytime there is sin in my life, lies are close at hand. Sin's agenda cannot be advanced without deceit. After all, we war against Satan, the father of lies.
When Ahab is confronted with a man of God, a man who is following God, his immediate response is to misstate facts. Ahab may have truly believed that Elijah was the cause of the bad things befalling Israel, however it was a lie he bought into because his sin was blinding him to the truth.
Once truth is shown on a repentant heart, the response with always be confession and turning. What light do I hide from?
Sin hates the light of truth and clings tenaciously to the darkness of deceit. Anytime there is sin in my life, lies are close at hand. Sin's agenda cannot be advanced without deceit. After all, we war against Satan, the father of lies.
When Ahab is confronted with a man of God, a man who is following God, his immediate response is to misstate facts. Ahab may have truly believed that Elijah was the cause of the bad things befalling Israel, however it was a lie he bought into because his sin was blinding him to the truth.
Once truth is shown on a repentant heart, the response with always be confession and turning. What light do I hide from?
Monday, June 6, 2016
Obadiah
1 Kings 18:3-4
"And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)"
God truly does when things out for good to those that love Him in the end. It may take longer than expected or hoped for, it will almost certainly follow a path we don't understand, but in the end we will receive good and He will receive glory.
From a human perspective, there is no way a leader as heinous and wicked as Ahab could ever further God's plan. And during Ahab's reign, it would have been easy for Obadiah to throw up his hands, say everything is lost and bury his head in the sand. Instead, this man who feared God greatly was willing to be used in whatever way God saw fit.
Obadiah risked his life to do what he did, and there's a good chance he wouldn't have been able to be as effective if he had been apathetic because of the wickedness of his king.
No matter how bad a situation is, God is working it to our good if we love Him. What bad situation in my life might God be working in right now?
"And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly: For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)"
God truly does when things out for good to those that love Him in the end. It may take longer than expected or hoped for, it will almost certainly follow a path we don't understand, but in the end we will receive good and He will receive glory.
From a human perspective, there is no way a leader as heinous and wicked as Ahab could ever further God's plan. And during Ahab's reign, it would have been easy for Obadiah to throw up his hands, say everything is lost and bury his head in the sand. Instead, this man who feared God greatly was willing to be used in whatever way God saw fit.
Obadiah risked his life to do what he did, and there's a good chance he wouldn't have been able to be as effective if he had been apathetic because of the wickedness of his king.
No matter how bad a situation is, God is working it to our good if we love Him. What bad situation in my life might God be working in right now?
Thursday, June 2, 2016
After Many Days....
1 Kings 18:1
"And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth."
If you asked 10 people on the street whether they considered themselves to be patient, more than likely 9 out of 10 would say no. And at least one of the 10 would probably be lying.
Developing patience is a life long process that never truly ends. As humans we want what we want and we want it now, from the moment we are born until death. However God works on a timetable vastly different from our own. As far as the heaven is above the earth, so are His thoughts higher than ours.
Elijah saw amazing miracles performed by God through and to him and it's easy to gloss over a key phrase here - "after many days..." God was working in amazing ways, yet He was working in His time. Slowly. Building patience, building faith.
Elijah has evidence every single day of God's working in his life through the miraculous food. Every single day, that little miracle caused faith to grow with its sister, patience.
"And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth."
If you asked 10 people on the street whether they considered themselves to be patient, more than likely 9 out of 10 would say no. And at least one of the 10 would probably be lying.
Developing patience is a life long process that never truly ends. As humans we want what we want and we want it now, from the moment we are born until death. However God works on a timetable vastly different from our own. As far as the heaven is above the earth, so are His thoughts higher than ours.
Elijah saw amazing miracles performed by God through and to him and it's easy to gloss over a key phrase here - "after many days..." God was working in amazing ways, yet He was working in His time. Slowly. Building patience, building faith.
Elijah has evidence every single day of God's working in his life through the miraculous food. Every single day, that little miracle caused faith to grow with its sister, patience.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
By This I Know
1 Kings 17:24 "And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth."
It is strange that Elijah had been living in the house with the widow and her son for quite some time apparently, and every day the widow had evidence of Elijah's legitimacy. She had been prepared to make her final meal, down to the last drops of oil and final handful of meal, when Elijah came and God provided them food everyday. But this was apparently not enough to fully convince her.
It is no wonder that Jesus marveled every time He saw a great display of faith while on earth. It is rare and often very hard to come by. Our fleshly minds become so numbed with the day to day living that we lose sight of the daily miracles God is performing in our lives.
Perhaps that is where you are, a tragic incident has robbed you of the faith that was being built day by day through God's powerful hand working through the daily grind. If so, it should only take a backwards glance to revive that faith.
What can I look back on to grow my faith on the face of challenges today?
It is strange that Elijah had been living in the house with the widow and her son for quite some time apparently, and every day the widow had evidence of Elijah's legitimacy. She had been prepared to make her final meal, down to the last drops of oil and final handful of meal, when Elijah came and God provided them food everyday. But this was apparently not enough to fully convince her.
It is no wonder that Jesus marveled every time He saw a great display of faith while on earth. It is rare and often very hard to come by. Our fleshly minds become so numbed with the day to day living that we lose sight of the daily miracles God is performing in our lives.
Perhaps that is where you are, a tragic incident has robbed you of the faith that was being built day by day through God's powerful hand working through the daily grind. If so, it should only take a backwards glance to revive that faith.
What can I look back on to grow my faith on the face of challenges today?
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