Sunday School, I Kings 17-18
Elijah comes on the scene right after the introduction of wicked king Ahab, who was more wicked than those before him, who at least gave a nod to God, though they developed a 'bootleg' religion. Ahab, on the other hand, outright worshiped Baal (I hate to even put that with a capital letter!), and refused to acknowledge God at all.
I won't re-iterate the entire story, but it is about the Word of God......received by the prophet, given to the appropriate person(s), and either received or despised by the hearer.
First, God's word comes to Elijah (received) to give to Ahab(despised): there will be no rain or dew even, until the Lord says so. An interesting note is that the pagan god baal was believed to be the god of lightning, rain and storm. This was an affront to his worshipers.
God tells Elijah to hide in the wilderness (received). He obeys and God provides for his needs by way of a brook and ravens. When the brook dries up, God sends Elijah to a widow, in of all places, the land of Sidon (enemy territory.....this is where Ahab's wife, Jezebel came from!) He obeys.
God's word comes through Elijah to the widow (received): feed me with what you think is the last of your stores, and God will provide. He does! When her son dies (apparently he is young, for she carries him in her arms) she questions Elijah, who prays and he is made alive by God's mercy. He blesses those who receive His Word.
Elijah is sent back to Ahab. On the way he meets Obadiah, who, though overseer of Ahab's household, is a servant of God and has hidden the prophets of God whom Jezebel is trying to kill. He receives God's word from Elijah (with a little hesitation at first). Elijah confronts Ahab again with his baal worship, and demands a confrontation with the prophets of baal.
Oh that wonderful story of that confrontation! Long story short, God wins, and baal is proven to be false and incapable. The prophets are put to death, as appropriate according to God's law. God now provides rain, after 3 and a half years of drought. Again, God wins.
It was pointed out that, although we tend to think more of the boldness of Elijah in proclaiming God's Word, he spend a lot of time on his knees in prayer. He prayed earnestly. How we need to learn this lesson! Also, Elijah was 'a man like us' according to James chapter 5. This will be more apparent in the next chapter.
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Worship. "How and Hope" Lamentations 3:1-24 Bart Lester
How timely this is for me!
Jeremiah's life has been altered by cataclysmic events: war, mistreatment(prison, beatings, rejected, mocked), famine, drought, seige, and finally the destruction of Jerusalem, the foundation for worship, the place where God chose to dwell among His people. Gone. And he asks the question: "How?"
Though God had spoken through him the warnings about obedience and the curses for disobedience, he did not rejoice in Jerusalem's fall, but mourned greatly over it. His grief is very personal, and very real. His suffering is intense. He is in despair, as described in such harsh language in the beginning of the passage. He views God as his pursuer, the source of his despair.
Verse 18 is the final word: "My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord."
Recall that 'hope' in the Scriptures isn't what we think of today. For us, 'hope' is something we wish for, or want to happen. "I hope my team wins," etc. Hope in the Word is a sure thing, a certainty that we know is there, but we can't yet see it or obtain it.
But.......then verse 19-20.....he recalls his circumstances, wrapping up the memory very neatly in terms like wormwood and gall, and how low he feels.
Then......he recalls 3 things that restore his hope. God's steadfast love, His unending mercy, and His great faithfulness.
God's steadfast love refers to his covenant with us. His Name and His character never change, and He will do all that He has said and promised. Judgement does not have the last word. God is both Judge and Redeemer. Neither will ever change. There is hope in the unending nature and character of our God, who is 100% faithful. Our hope is strengthened when we contemplate His faithfulness.
Jeremiah comes to the conclusion that "God is my portion." The word portion means inheritance. The physical inheritance of Israel had been taken away from them, but the spiritual cannot be taken away. See Romans 8:35 ff. NOTHING can separate us from the Love of God. Nothing.
Another pastor once used the word "substance' for 'portion. God is my substance. He is all I need. He has promised to provide what I need in this life. Where I get off track is when I think I need something He knows I don't need. Or, when, as part of his disciplining me, he does as mentioned in the last post...."refines my priorities by taking away things I value."
What comfort to recall and meditate on His love, mercy and faithfulness. Yes, indeed, there is
HOPE.
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