1 Kings 18:43 Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bowed deeply in prayer, his face between his knees. Then he said to his young servant, "On your feet now! Look toward the sea." And God strengthened Elijah mightily. Oh for feet that walk by faith not by sight. Waiting for what God says.
God is stirring in me to look for Him, seek for Him, wait quietly for Him and not try to rearrange the bad circumstances of my life. Crabb says: Don't make your goal to change the bad circumstances into good ones. Sure, do all you can to make this place better but what do I want more than enjoying my relationship with my God? Am I enjoying life more? Am I taking opportunities from God to repent? I Kings 18:37 - God was giving them another chance at repentance. I'm still "taken" over how God looked at David---a murderer, an adulterer...a man after God's heart. God doesn't keep bringing up the adultery and murder. Forgiven. Every day we have an opportunity to repent of the ways we have missed Him.
And here's holy Elijah running for dear life in I Kings 19:5 "Enough of this, God. Take my life!" Jezebel proved too much for him when she threatened his life and Elijah chose to walk by sight. And the verse goes on to say that an angel cared for Elijah giving him food and water and direction. A fresh hot loaf of bread in his darkness. "What are you doing here?" asks God. God knew. Wonder if He is asking us the same question in whatever we are stuck in this day. I Kings 19:10 is an interesting response from Elijah: "I've been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies." Was management trumping holiness? "Go stand at attention on the mountain." That means that a step of faith for Elijah was to be still. No frenetic work in this battle. You don't have to work your heart out Elijah---God is working all things for good. Am I standing at attention in my heart waiting for my God to pass by? Along comes I Kings 19:11-12:
A HURRICANE...no God there
AN EARTHQUAKE...no God there
A FIRE...no God in the fire
A WHISPER...a quiet Voice: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
I wonder if we all need to answer the same question. My answer: "I'm trying to make something happen that is not going well or maybe it is going well cause I'm working my heart out. I need to live a quiet life and listen to that still small Voice exposing the fray of my heart. Working my heart out for what? Another opportunity to repent!
I'm so out of it right now, but I'll be back. I'm sorry for not making these readings a priority. You all inspire me. I wish I had more time to read along with you. I will pop over here whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteBev, congratulations again for Britt! Such great news!
Love to you all,
Angie xoxo
Today's scripture, covered a lot of ground, and I have to admit, I didn't understand all of it. What I did get was God's call to the service of Obedience. He has such amazing plans for our lives. All He asks is for us to listen to His quiet voice, be ready to give up our plans, for He has a magnificent plan for our lives beyond all of our imagination. I have to admit, the thought of it makes me shiver with anticipation!
ReplyDelete1 Kings 18:45-46
ReplyDelete"Things happened fast. The sky grew black with wind-driven clouds, and then a huge cloudburst of rain, with Ahab hightailing it in his chariot for Jezreel. And God strengthened Elijah mightily. Pulling up his robe and tying it around his waist, Elijah ran in front of Ahab's chariot until they reached Jezreel."
Imagining the sight of Elijah in these verses. Prophecy. It is an amazing feeling to KNOW God is working...even when no one else "sees" the hand of God active. But nothing compares to actually seeing the prophecy come true right before your eyes.
Imagining the feeling in Elijah's soul as he was powerfully indwelt by God's Spirit...running ahead of the horses.
Imagining the great defeat of these satan-led unholy men. Am I the only one who wants to see evil punished?
Lord, reveal it in me. Cleanse me today of anything that is like the evil one. Jealousy, false-doctrine, wrath, disobedience to God, fear of the enemy, sadness over my alien experiences.
Let me cry out by faith, watching for the rain, believing. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Thankful, so very thankful, to be home.
ReplyDeleteMy brother is finally in a room at the hospital and doing well.
He had to have a second surgery, to try and stop bleeding after the first surgery.
It was a long night, Friday night. Saturday was horrible. We have stayed in a state of drama. Peace. It came to my heart. I have precious pearls in a golden box in my mind. Christ had a mission for me there in that hospital. Your prayers were pearls He gave me.
Keep us all in your prayers. We are past the crisis, and now we are mostly dealing with the personalities of loved ones who mean well, but lash out in their own pain.
Emotionally: Elijah experienced fear, depression and self-pity. Physically: He was exhausted and hungry. Spiritually: He thought he was all alone in serving God. So grateful for the way God ministers to the whole man in ch.19...sleep, food and a still small voice.
ReplyDeleteBev, I was reading on your blog and came to an entry titled "string of pearls." I want you to know that God used that entry to minister to me in a special way. I had tears in my eyes as I read it. Just wanted you to know how He used you to enable me to hear His "still small voice."
Glad the crisis is over, Deborah. We'll keep praying.
FG
Praying for your family and your brother's restored good health, Deborah. Nothing like the peace that passes all understanding and the good God who brings it.
ReplyDeleteThat still small voice is inaudible in the rushed loud living of most of my days. I must deliberately stop and listen. These last two weeks have been good opportunities to watch life going on around me, and feel somewhat removed observing more than participating. And my response is an overflowing grateful heart. Being still and knowing He's God...Listening for Him...seeing His obvious Hand at work in details...grasping in moments the hugeness of His love and how He attends every need like Elijah.
Praying for you all as I still sit. A lot. It's a sweet opportunity to hear that small Voice.
Love, A
Bev, so glad Blair did well today and you got good news. Praying for her quick recovery and your peace. Love, A
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annette. He is the God of the Angel-Armies. But He is also the God who whispers my name.
ReplyDeleteMy middle name is Darlene. And sometimes He calls me by that name.
It's meaning is "darling."
That is a whisper I love to hear from Him.
Praying for you, Annette. Rest and get well soon.