Wednesday 26th August 2020 Devotion
Scripture:- James 4:1-17
Topic:- Signs To Know That Holy Spirit Has Left You [3]
Text:- 1 Kings 18:17
- Take Elijah For Example:
Elijah was a Prophet, a devout one. In an age of paganism, rebellion, and persecution. Elijah served God with passion and fearlessness. Determined and obedient. He delivered God’s words to a stubborn horde of Israelites again and again, urging them to turn back to God. He even dared to confront King Ahab and his wicked wife, Jezebel, something that required not a little amount of courage considering their penchant for murdering God’s Prophets. They turned their sights on Elijah, the “troubler of Israel” See 1 Kings 18:17.
Rather than cower, Elijah challenges Ahab and his false prophets to a duel — a showdown between their god, Baal, and Elijah’s God. When the day arrives, 450 prophets of Baal stand against a lone Elijah, the last of God’s Prophets. The 450 prophets of Baal pray like champs. No god replies from the skies. But when Elijah prays a single, sincere prayer, God comes down in a consuming fire. See 1 Kings 18.
I’d call that a decisive victory. Score. At this point, Elijah expects Ahab, Jezebel, and the Israelites to come to their senses, to turn from their wickedness and once again follow God. But that’s not what happens.
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” See 1 Kings 19:1-2.
Terrified, Elijah runs for his life all the way from Jezreel to Beersheba, a distance of about a hundred miles. Then leaving his servant behind, he continues another full day’s journey into the wilderness alone. Because some disappointments don’t allow space for company. See 1 Kings 19:3.
There, collapsed under a broom bush, Elijah reaches the end of himself. “I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. See 1 Kings 19:4-5.
Elijah’s bush wasn’t all that different from my basement. Despair. Frustration. Disappointment. Exhaustion. Enough, Lord.
He doesn’t always take the pain away. He doesn’t always cure the illness. He doesn’t always restore the relationship, resolve the conflict, deliver peace and rest.
God responds to Elijah’s despair. Rather than a worthless cliche, He offers Elijah comfort. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank. See 1 Kings 19:5-8.
What does God do? He doesn’t rebuke him. He doesn’t quote Scripture at him. He doesn’t tell him to get his act together or his butt in Church. He doesn’t tell him how much worse it could be. And He doesn’t tell him that He will never give him more than he can handle.
There is no bootstrapping, guilt-tripping, manhandling, heavy-load-throwing. Instead, God touches him. And feeds him. Twice.
Skin to skin, a tangible acknowledgment of presence. And bread hot out of the oven. Comfort food. Maybe a casserole with extra cheese. Likely a pan of double-chocolate brownies. Nourishment of body and soul. Why? Because the journey is too much for you.
Prayer Point:- Oh Lord God, never let Your Holy Spirit depart from me, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Happy Mid-Week!
