Courage And Faith

Introduction

Hi everyone, let's imagine this situation: I work at the VA, right? And I stumble upon something upsetting. I discovered that some of the bosses in our Community Living Centers, where we promise to look after our veterans, aren't doing the right thing. Now, this gets to me. Why? Because you guys, our veterans, have sacrificed so much for us, and you deserve nothing but the best care.

As I walk down these halls daily, I see so much more than just faces. I see incredible stories of bravery, sacrifice, and honor. You're not just patients in a hospital; you are real-life heroes who've given so much to our country. The thought of someone not treating you right really weighs on my heart. It leaves me with a tough choice: should I stay quiet or speak up for what's right, even if it means I might lose my job?

This kind of dilemma, this tough choice, it's not new. It's a timeless struggle that reminds me a lot of a story from the Bible – it's about Elijah in 1 Kings 17. Elijah lived when people weren't following God, and he had to stand up against some pretty bad stuff all by himself. He was brave and trusted in God, just like sometimes we need to be brave and trust that doing the right thing is worth it.

Today, we're going to dive into Elijah's story. We'll talk about the courage and faith it takes to stand up for what's right, especially when it's tough.

Trusting God in Hard Times with Absolute Truth

Let's start by really getting into Elijah's story. This guy had some seriously strong faith. Imagine this scene: Elijah walks up to King Ahab, a significant figure, and tells him it won't rain because God said so. But why did God choose such a harsh punishment for Ahab and his kingdom? Ahab had turned away from God, leading his people into idolatry and sin. His actions directly contradict God’s commands, a clear deviation from the absolute truth that God had set for His people. This drought was a punishment and a powerful message about the consequences of abandoning God's truth.

Picture the scene in the royal court: the surprised faces and the air tension. Elijah, standing firm, his voice steady, declaring God's message. This wasn't just boldness; it was an unwavering commitment to absolute truth in the face of a king who had embraced relativism – believing that he could shape his truth, separate from God.

Now, let's bring this into our context. Today, we live in a prevalent world of relativism – the idea that you can think and believe whatever you want. This sounds liberating, but it's important to understand that true freedom comes with a foundation, a ground to stand on. This ground is what we call absolute truth – the truth found in God's word that cannot be changed or altered.

In John 17:17, Jesus says, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." This scripture reminds us that God's truth isn't just a set of rules; it's what sets us free. Without this anchor, we may think we're living freely, but the shifting sands of societal norms and personal opinions often bind us.

Consider the current crisis of truth in our society. We see it in the news, debates over moral and ethical issues, and our daily choices. The freedom to choose and believe can lead us down a path where everything seems relative. But as followers of Christ, we're called to anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of God's word.

John Bunyan, whom I mentioned earlier, stood firm in his faith, even in jail. He understood that God's truth was his bedrock, even when the world around him was in flux. Like Elijah, who confronted Ahab's deviation from God's truth, and Bunyan, we're called to trust God and His truth in hard times.

Today's challenges might not be droughts or royal decrees, but they are no less significant. We face the challenge of discerning truth in a sea of relative opinions. It's in these moments that our faith is truly tested. Do we waver or stand firm on the solid ground of God's truth?

Think about a time when your faith was tested. How did you react? Did the world's relative truths sway you, or did you cling to the unchanging truth of God?

God Helps Us in Surprising Ways

Before we delve into the extraordinary way God provided for Elijah, let's understand why he was in the wilderness in the first place. After Elijah delivered God's message to King Ahab – that there would be no rain due to the people's unfaithfulness – he found himself in a perilous situation. Ahab and Queen Jezebel were furious and sought to kill him. God then directed Elijah to flee to the Kerith Ravine, a place of solitude and hiding, away from the wrath of the king and queen. While it seemed like a retreat, this move to the wilderness was part of God's protective plan and set the stage for one of the most remarkable demonstrations of God’s provision.