“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (I Kings 19:11-12)
I have always loved this passage of scripture! There are two persons involved in this passage: Elijah and the LORD.
Elijah is hiding in a cave at the time of this event and there a several sermons that have come out of this time of Elijah’s life. He just defeated hundreds of prophets of Baal and other gods on Mount Carmel by displaying the supernatural power of God in their presence. The queen at the time threatened Elijah’s life because of his actions, so now he has run from the land and is afraid for his life. I encourage you to read these two chapters (18 and 19) because they give us a look into God’s many-sided love for His people.
What comes to the forefront today, however, is God’s display of power and showing Himself to His people. We see where God sent the wind to display His power (but His message wasn’t in the display of the wind). Next He sent an earthquake. It, too, displayed the power of God over nature, but the message God had for Elijah wasn’t to be found in the earthquake. After that God sent a raging fire; however, God’s message to Elijah wasn’t to be heard in the fire either. Finally God whispered to Him in a still, small voice. And therein was God’s message contained for Elijah.
Oddly God’s message was NOT one of condemnation, but of examination. God asked Elijah why he was there. Then God listened to Elijah’s rather pained discourse on the events that brought him here. God didn’t cut him off, He didn’t scold him, He didn’t pull His anointing and call from Elijah. He just listened. Isn’t that amazing? The great God of the universe loved His prophet enough to listen to his whining and man-splaining. If God would have just accepted Elijah’s reasoning that would have been disastrous – both for Elijah and for God’s plan.
What God did next still amazes me. He gave Elijah his next mission. He cleared up all the doubts that he was over, his time had passed, and he could no longer serve because he ran away. Isn’t that awesome? The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans in Romans 11:29 that “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” That means that God does not change His mind about us when we mess up! He created us for a purpose, He equipped us with certain gifts and talents to serve that purpose, and He laid out a plan for us to fulfill that purpose. Remember in scripture where it says that God’s Word will not return to Him void, but will complete and fulfill the purpose for which it was sent out? That also applies in our lives!
My friend, I don’t know where you have strayed off the path. I don’t know to what levels of debauchery you may have sunken, I don’t know what your path of running from God and His call looks like. I just know that He is pursuing you, He is still calling out to you to return, He will wait as long as it takes. Most who have fled won’t even talk to God because they feel guilty, they are ashamed, they are afraid of His punishment for their sin. Don’t let that be you today. Just look at how God handled Elijah in this passage of scripture and learn to discern the voice of God in your own life. How has He called to you in days past? I like this passage because if we study it we will learn how God speaks to us. I don’t have to know where you are or what you have done. I now that God often starts by whispering in our souls. He gives us a warning shot in order to allow us time to repent and return. I we don’t respond to that, He will send fire – something to destroy what we have gathered around us for protection and provision. If we still won’t hear Him, He will send an earthquake – an event or life circumstance that will shake the very ground you stand upon. Your arguments won’t be of any use, your beliefs will be torn down, and everything upon which you thought you could trust will be crushed beyond repair. If you remain hard-hearted and hard-headed, lastly He will send a strong wind into your life – something that will literally blow away everything you have accomplished, gathered, or built. Your entire world will be destroyed by the judgment of wind.
Is God doing this because He hates you? Of course not! God loves you beyond your understanding to the point that He will ferrett you out, pry you out of your hiding place, and take away all your “toys” and protection until you stand before Him naked and afraid as did Adam in the garden of Eden. Oddly enough, the question God asked Adam (Where are you?) isn’t that much different than what He asked Elijah in this passage (Why are you here?). Both questions probe beyond the surface into the deepest part of the heart of man. He already knows WHERE you are, what He wants to know is why? He loves you too much to abandon you. He is coming to you right now as you read these words. Why are you living the way you are? What caused you to be this way? Examine your heart, my friend, and answer God. He loves you too much to leave you on the scrap heap or in the landfill. He loves you.
Today I encourage you to spend some time searching your heart. Dig deep. If you need someone to help you unpack and uncover your life, I am here to help in any way I can. Please reach out through FB and ask. God be with you today and may He give you the courage and strength to face the dark.
Be blessed.
Commenti