YOU’RE NOT ALONE
by: Rev. James W. Bryant
1st Kings 19:13-18
(13) And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
(14) And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
(15) And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
(16) And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
(17) And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
(18) Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
Though it may be hard to believe, all through history, God’s own people (Christians), have turned on one another. (verse 14) It is not a popular fact, but it is one that is a reality. Many of us have a misconception that because one has come to repentance and serves God that all will be well. That is not the case in both ours nor others that have accepted Christ as Savior. The simple fact is that until we reach heaven there will always be turmoil. There will always come division. There will always be desertion. Yes, even between Christians.
The children of Israel were "ALL" God’s chosen people. Now they did not all do exactly what was right. Indeed there were some that were even down right dirty; killing their own, etc. But one cannot change the fact that they "Were God’s People." And if they were to die, they all were still bound for heaven due to the shedding of the blood from the priest for their sins. All of them.... This day of atonement was not just for the ones who walked most worthy, but for all-everyone. Even for those rascals who here in verse 14 had "slain thy prophets" of God.
It is hard to imagine how someone who claims salvation through repentance can do such wicked, shocking things to another. And even harder to imagine how God would allow such people to make it into heaven, huh? It is always especially hard when someone hurts you that you thought more highly of. But it happens. The most hurt I have experienced to date has been by those whom I was closest to. But this is nothing new. This has always happened and always will. Even between Christians. We wonder just how God could allow such an individual to make it into heaven. The truth is, who is worthy? NONE! If we were to examine ourselves more closely we would see that none of us, including myself, could ever get to heaven just upon our merits alone. It is only through the grace of God and the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ that we become heirs of the Kingdom.
Now then, those "Christians," who do wrong does exact a price upon themselves. Look back up at verse 17. Does it look like they got away with anything? No. God takes care of everything in HIS own way and in due time. We often desire to execute judgment right now! We feel like fighting fire with fire! But when one fights fire with fire they only become as engulfed with the same stench of smoke in which they we’re fighting. We should seek God and his will in what to do during such times. One’s first action should never be a reaction. But make no mistake, one does not go unpunished, God does execute judgment. And all in due season.
Sometimes after having been through so much mistreatment and hurt, we wonder, "is there anyone who truly seeks after righteousness?" "Is there really any genuine love for each other "Am I in this whole thing alone?" Even when so many show the worst in themselves against us, we MUST be able to allow ourselves to place trust back into someone else again. If not the same individuals in whom trust was lost. Though we are to have trust in another, we should never give total confidence in any man.
When one man falls out of the line there’s another soldier right there to fill the void. YOU’RE NOT ALONE. Should one soldier go AWOL, there’s always another to take his place. YOU’RE NOT ALONE. One cowering and turning away from his/her duties does not lose the war. There’s always another brave soul that will step us and say, "We can take it." YOU’RE NOT ALONE. And should that soldier let you down, find you yet another. He/She is out there. YOU’RE NOT ALONE. There will always be another. Look at Elihjah. He felt all alone. But read what God told him in verse 18. There will ALWAYS be, someone else you can turn to. When it feels as though you’re in it by yourself, don’t grow weary. There’s always others seeking God’s will. YOU’RE NOT ALONE.
You may have been hurt recently. I feel there’s those who have been giving much pain. And I felt this message needful. Perhaps PRIDE made him do what (he) did. Perhaps, JEALOUSY, made her do what she did. These things may have brought distress to you. And even worse, these things will come again.
It’s hard to understand why those closest to us can change and cause such heartache. Those who brought so much pain to Elijah were his own friends. Not only that, they were God’s people. Just like you and I we must accept that those closest to us may very well be the ones that bring us pain. But, YOU’RE NOT ALONE.
To the father, one’s children must answer. Often my two oldest girls, "Destiny" & "Holly" may do something that is not just. Perhaps a few of you have seen me discipline them. Although most of you reading this sermon have not. But rest assured that it does come. Sometimes we see reaping come around, sometime we don’t. But it does come. For all have to answer to his master. For the child, to his father. To the Christian, his Redeemer.
Whatever your going through today, keep your head up and don’t place too much expectation out of anyone. Especially yourself. And if you will do that you will get along a lot better; not be as hurt when those pains & trials come; and you will then be much happier and enjoy life even more. And don’t feel as though your in this thing by yourself. YOU’RE NOT ALONE
Rev. James W. Bryant
Monday, January 20th, 2002 @ 9:33pm
© 2002 by THE HOLY STANDARD
