Sunday, September 9, 2012

Foundations September 10, 2012

Gospel Reading Plan: Mark 9-10

Elijah the ordinary Part 2
Read: 1 Kings 19

In 1 Kings 18:46 we left Elijah running, in the power of the Lord, all the way back to Jezreel.  He had just defeated the prophets of Baal, exalting God. Then what happens, just one chapter later we find Elijah running again but this time not in the power of God.  This time he is running in his own strength because he is afraid (vs. 3); he was so afraid that he prayed for his own death (vs. 4).  In spite of Elijah’s great triumph at Mount Carmel, Jezebel, the wife of the King, was out to kill him.  The same man who stood boldly against the prophets of Baal is fleeing from the Queen.  What happened?  Depression, physical exhaustion, whatever it was, it consumed Elijah.  It is quite common for moments of great victory to be followed by bouts of depression.  We go from the mountaintop to the valley.  But look closely at how God cares for Elijah, how He understands and provides for him, even during his time of discouragement.  God sends an angel to feed him some sort of supernatural food; after he ate, drank and slept and was strengthened to travel forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God.  It is then that God is ready to deal with Elijah.  God asks Elijah what’s wrong and Elijah makes his complaint to the Lord – I’ve been zealous for the Lord, bad stuff is happening everywhere, I’m the only good one left and now they are trying to kill me (vs. 10).  Does God get mad at Elijah for complaining to Him?  Does God smite him down?  No, God nudges him out of the cave and then it happens…the Lord shows His presence to Elijah.  It was not in the wind, the earthquake or in the fire but in a gentle whisper.  God knew this discouraged soul needed a gentle touch.  Elijah was running but now God tells him of the work that He is to finish.  God was not done with him.  In His mercy, God restored Elijah, He gave Him hope by showing him His power and love and encouraged him to finish the ministry that he had started.  Oh, the Goodness of our God!   

PRAYER AND MEDITATION
  1. What are some mountaintop experiences that you have had?  Have they ever been followed by valley experiences?
  2. Have you allowed God to continue to speak to you while you have been in the valley?  Have you let the valley experiences help you grow and mature?
  3. Thank God for His goodness, that He restores, gives hope, loves us and encourages us to finish the things He has called us to do.