I want to tell you a true story, look at its ramifications and see how it applies to our lives today. It is a familiar story, an Old Testament story, a story of one of God’s greatest prophets and his calling. You may have heard this story way back in Sunday school, or perhaps this may be the first time you’ve heard it. You may have forgotten the details, I believe important details that point to God’s perfection, or you may remember every single aspect.
Originally, today I was going to start a three-part study in the life of Joseph, but as I have been preparing, God put it on my heart to start with this brief study of God’s prophet instead. We could spend weeks studying this prophet, his ministry and its relevance in our lives today, but instead we’ll only spend our time together this morning. As we conclude, my prayer is that you will go home, re-read what we discussed today and study it further. There truly is application for our lives today.
I hesitate reading the newspapers every morning and then following current events throughout the day. There is no question we are all enduring some trying times in our lives. Problems of financial hardship, unemployment, new employment - perhaps even a change in a career, loss of loved ones; upside down mortgages, retirement concerns, addiction or dependency issues, relationship struggles, this day and age I believe we need to trust God more than ever in our lives. And I see it reflected in church, not only here at Capistrano Community Church but in churches across America. Church has to be a priority in our lives.
Worship in church has to be so important and so relevant that even through hardships, we set aside that important time to come together every week. We may be too exhausted, but we just can’t wait to come to church, to interact with one another and be refreshed by God’s Word. I’ve heard some say that it is what they need to help them through the upcoming week. For some, Sunday mornings have become the only time for rest, working two or three jobs. Others may feel that they are struggling just to make ends meet, how can they possibly support church? So it’s best to stay home. I believe church worship, church fellowship and church family is more important for our lives today than any other time since I’ve been in ministry. Why? Because our faith in God is paramount in our lives. So many Scriptures point to this. So many of the Apostle Paul’s words are in reference to enduring hardships and trusting God. All of the Old Testament Prophet’s words, both major and minor, point to trusting God alone. Remember the words of the prophet Isaiah where God says, “Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end—because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior.” The life of Jesus modeled trusting in His Father, so much so, He willingly went to the cross. In trusting God, we have hope.
And when we’re facing the fear of the unknown in our lives, sometimes hope is what we need the most. Hope and trust that God really does have a plan, even through hardships. Look back on the many times in your life when God has answered prayer in an amazing way. Look back when you have felt the presence of God in a powerful way. So why do we forget at times? Because we’re no different. Even God’s most powerful people throughout the ages have gone through times of trouble, despair and doubt.
Back to my story. His name is Elijah and he lived during the reign of Ahab, king of Israel, 850 years before the birth of Christ. Ahab was the seventh king of Israel after the nation split apart, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord, in fact much more than other kings. There are many reasons why, but the biggies are: (1) the marriage to a pagan, evil woman named Jezebel and (2) allowing Baal worship to permeate God’s chosen nation of Israel. Worship of the idol Baal was prevalent during this time. Baal was the pagan god of fertility, the god who controlled the seasons and nature. Worship of Baal consisted of horrible, evil practices including the sacrifice of children. Ahab influenced by Jezebel, erected Baal altars, built temples for Baal, and “served Baal and worshipped him.”
Elijah wanted vengeance. He wanted God to send the windstorm, the earthquake, and the fire upon Jezebel and her idolaters, but God was reminding him that He is in control, not Elijah. But that is still the way Elijah felt. I once read the following, written half in jest; “My wishes are a humble dwelling with a thatched roof, a good bed, good food, flowers at my windows, and some fine tall trees before my door. And if the good God wants to make me completely happy, He will grant me the joy of seeing six or seven of my enemies hanging from the trees.”
The Apostle Paul’s words from his second letter to the people of Corinth: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed. Therefore do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day….while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things that are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.”
Chapter 17:
Zarephath was a Gentile city 100 miles to the north of the brook east of the Jordan River. Elijah met a poverty stricken woman at the city gate. Jesus references this in the Gospel of Luke.
Chapter 18:
In the third year without rain, God said “Go present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.” Obadiah, the manager of Ahab’s royal palace, was a true believer in God. While Jezebel was massacring the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah hid one hundred prophets in caves and fed them, in spite of Jezebel’s wickedness. So in search of food and water for livestock, Ahab and Obadiah divided the land between them and each went their own way.
And Elijah appears to Obadiah telling him to go to Ahab with the news that Elijah wants to see him. Ahab met Elijah calling him the “troubler of Israel.” So Elijah challenges Ahab to a contest. Send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table. Asherah was a female pagan god, also associated with evil practices in worship.
Elijah, alone against 850 pagan prophets and he let them choose first. Twelve stones representing the original twelve tribes of Israel, 12 pots of water. Elijah sends Ahab to prepare for rain, the end of the draught, and sends his servant up to the top of the mountain to look toward the Mediterranean Sea for a cloud, seven times up to the top. Then sends him to tell Ahab to jump in his chariot and go down to his winter capital Jezreel located 20-25 miles away before the downpour. The hand of the Lord came upon Elijah and he ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
Chapter 19:
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and how he had executed all of the prophets. So Jezebel sent a message to Elijah that she would have him killed in the same manner as he had killed her prophets. Upon receiving this word, he ran for his life (or to renew his soul) and went to Beersheba in the southern portion of Judah, 100 miles away and rested. 40 days and 40 nights he spent in prayer while he walked, some 250 miles south into Egypt to Horeb, the mountain of God. Another name for Mt. Horeb (Ho-reb) is a familiar one, Mt. Sinai. He climbed to the top (2300 feet) and found a cave.
Application:
Even after feeling God’s presence in a powerful way, in Elijah’s case, the provision of water and meat at the Cherith (Kee-rith) Brook, the encounter with the widow who provided bread and water for three years, raising the widow’s son from the dead, the Mount Carmel victory and proclaiming the end of the drought, Elijah ran for his life. According to David Jeremiah, there are four things we can take from chapter 19:
The importance of rest, sleep and nutrition in verses 5-7
Time off in verse 8
A fresh experience in God’s Word verses 11-14
A renewed assignment in verses 15-17
And I would like to leave you with this thought as we prepare to come to the table this morning. God spoke to Elijah through the stillness, the quiet, the small voice. God did not answer or appear in the extraordinary, the wind, the earthquake or the fire. He certainly can, but oftentimes chooses the quiet. God doesn’t need the pomp and circumstance. When God sent His Son into the world, although the night sky lit up with a multitude of heavenly hosts, Jesus quietly was born in the outskirts of Bethlehem in the presence of Mary and Joseph and some animals. That’s the way God works, just like He’s working in your life right now. Trust Him, even in the midst of trials, He will never leave you or forsake
