The Lord Speaks to Elijah

                                                                     1 Kings 19:9-18

 

July 19, 2021

 

 The Lord Speaks to Elijah

There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”   And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke 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 the sound of a low whisper.  And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”   He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”   And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.   And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.   And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death.   Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

 

Are we in the USA any different than the people of Israel?  We like them have chase after the Baal’s we just call them by different names.  We also like Elijah want to hear from God, many of us like Elijah are zealous of the Lord, the God of hosts.  We also have seen the breaking of God's commandment and the many who give lip service to the Lord, Jesus Christ, but do not obey His word.  We have seen the many who hate the Lord, the many in our government, mayors, governors, and those in the Congress of the USA that has disdain for our Lord, and have no fear of Him or His Church.  And like Elijah, many have hidden in our caves but unlike Elijah, we are too busy with our agendas to listen to the voice of our God.

So, why not do as Blaze Pascal did and find a quiet room, turn off the noise and sit still and listen for that sound of a low whisper, and when God asks what are you doing, share your heart with Him and be willing to obey what He is telling you to do.   It will never be different than His written Word.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice