Tuesday, July 3, 2012
I Kings 19:13 and Acts 13:36 "What Are You Doing Here?" (July 4)
Elijah seems pretty solid, spiritual, strong. I mean, he just raised a sick kid from the dead. But, that 3-letter word, when Elijah hears the words of Jezebel and her intentions to murder him, he bolts for his life. And he asks his God to let him die. He could ask for the life of another but not his own. Circumstances don't change us, they just reveal what is already going on in the inside of our souls.
So, the story goes, an angel strengthens him for 40 days through one mighty meal. That's energy. The angel tells him to go stand before God. Maybe that's what I need to hear this moment in my history. Stand and Wait until He does something. For Elijah...it's
a WIND
an EARTHQUAKE
a FIRE
a WHISPER ... and a God Who shows up in a Whisper and asks THIS:
"What are you doing here, Elijah?" I Kings 19:13
And it is God saying that to us centuries later...
"What are you doing here, Bev?"
Serving the purposes of God in our generation? Acts 13:36
Proclaiming forgiveness of sins? Acts 13:37
Freeing others from everything from which they could never be freed by the law.
And the people begged to come tell them more the next Sabbath---how moving.
And the Jews incited the city leaders to persecute Paul and Barnabas
And Paul & Barnabas: they just shook off the dust from their feet and left. 13:51.
All because they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
What are you doing here, Bev?
Are you so bothered this day by what is happening to you?
Can you be more concerned about what you are doing to bring the Kingdom?
"Our worst prayers may really be our best.
God seems to speak to us most intimately when
He catches us off guard." C.S. Lewis
We expected to hear from him in the whipping wind, the turbulent earthquake, the deadly fire.
But no, God was in a whisper.
Eccl 5:1 Draw near to listen to The Whispering.
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Just like Elijah, I ran when Jezebel threatened as I have done too many times in the past. God in his gentleness, mercy, grace and love came after me to draw me to Himselft. "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:19)
ReplyDeleteElijah finds the Lord in the whisper. Amid the noise of this day, can we hear Him? In the middle of distraction, crises of every kind, do we have our ear tuned to hear His call? Do the circumstances of the day ever trump the eternal intricate plan of the Lord? My truth is they do but they shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteThere is Something bigger that a mighty wind and earthquake and fire. And it's found in an almost inaudible Whisper.
Help us not to miss You, Lord, in the midst of the worst days and in the buoy of the best.
Bev, you must be on the wildest roller coaster right now, planning your beautiful Brooke's wedding, and waiting once again as your health hangs in the balance. He is very near you and sees. If you're not doing anything today, drive over and join us for some grilled stuff and a swim. We'd love for you to join us.
Praying for all of us that we can be quiet enough in our inner being to hear Him when He does whisper to us.
ReplyDeleteBev, your words always so move me, as well as the rest of you. Bev you have a gift for reading His Word and then "seeing" what is not seen by the naked eye.What a blessing you are to me.
I seem to be in a dry spot, spell whatever you want to call it....but I do pray. The ideas, thoughts, words do just not come, but my heart still prays and resonates with what you all share.
Happy Fourth to all! May God continue to bless America and draw us to Him and may we proclaim His truth so that more may know Him as Savior and Lord.
Amen, Mary Lou. Blessed Freedom! Happy Fourth!
ReplyDeleteWe hear your heart, Mary Lou.
ReplyDeleteI think all of us struggle to find any adequate words to express the Magnanimous God we love and follow.
My words stumble out like Moses' stuttering. Sovereign Stumblings.
My steps stumble over my sins and shortcomings and even my successes. Sovereign Stumblings.
Love having all of you here.
Happy Fourth of July.
And I have a red stripe in my hair extolling my patriotism. I see a pro in the morning for my hair and then off for a mammogram. The red stripe fades into the magnitude of this present moment.
Thanks for your prayers.
Annette, I should have brought my red stripe for you to see. Thank you so. Would love to drop by.
ReplyDeleteI made the young saleslady at Nordstrom's named Ellie cry twice---good tears, but way too heavy of a moment for Nordstrom's. So, I took down my up-do so she could see the red stripe and laugh!