Our final day in the double digits. How incredible to think about. You are coming up on 1/3 of the way through this incredible journey and we've already learned so much. Today's 3 chapters are possibly my favorite 3 chapters in all of the Bible. There are so many powerful lessons revealed in these 3 chapters that I'm pretty sure we could do a entire year of messages and worship on them alone. Prepare yourself for chills, some of the best Bible you'll read is coming up.
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
Questions to Consider
What does this teach me about God?
What does this teach me about humanity?
What does this teach me about Jesus?
What does it mean for Elijah to be fed by ravens and a widow?
What does it mean for God to reveal Godself in a whisper?
What does it mean for Elijah to be in "enemy territory" (northern kingdom of Samaria)
- My Thoughts -
I could write an entire book on each of these chapters. I love these so much. But, I'll try to be brief(ish). First, we are introduced to Elijah, one of the "best" prophets of the OT with little to no fanfare. He is told that a raven, a bird of death, a bird that would be considered "unclean" would be the one to feed him. Elijah had to set aside everything he had known about what is ok and not to learn something new about God and how God provides. Now THATS a message for us today! Amen?!
Secondly, Elijah's little competition with the bulls and the followers of Baal is just funny. I don't think I necessarily approve of Elijah murdering the priests of Baal BUT I do think that is relevant for us in some ways. By destroying the priests of Baal Elijah effectively takes away any temptation for Israel to go back to their old ways. When we pray the Lord's prayer we are asking God to lead us away from temptation. What things do you know in your life distract you from growth in your career? In your relationship with friends or loved ones? In your walk with God? Can you get rid of those things? For me it was social media and I know I felt much better after I got rid of those from my life. What could that be for you?
Finally, for my thoughts here at least is the moment when Elijah is running and he hears the voice of God. He doesn't hear God in the wind, the fire, or the earthquake...in the loudest of things but rather it is in the whisper that God is found. Our culture is loud. The news media is more of a drama show than informational at this point and it's on 24/7. Our phones are constantly making noise. Being stuck at home means we are on our computers and the internet and social media more and more and more which is just more sound. It can be easy to ask if God is even around or real when the world feels like it's ending, but maybe it's because we need to silence our lives at some point each day to listen for God's voice.
Prayer:
Like Elijah, O God, we turn and face You in the midst of the storm.
Help us this hour to hear You speak to us —
not in the wind, or the thunder,
nor even in the upheaval of the ground beneath us.
Help us to hear You speak to us, in our heart of hearts,
as that still, small voice amidst the maelstrom,
which gives us direction, and peace, and hope.
We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.