We have a seat by the fire saved just for you! We are continuing in our series of “Fire Stories.” Today we read in the book of 1 Kings chapter 19 where we meet Elijah. He was worn out with life. Ever feel that way? He need the fire of God’s promises and I think we do today too!
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Transcription:
Welcome to the Bible for Busy People. My name is Erica, and I saved a seat by the fire just for you. Sometimes when it gets cold outside, it feels kind of good to get chilly and wrap up in a big blanket, maybe a hoodie too. Have a nice hot spiced cider in a mug in your hand, somebody beside you who you love. And then you just look up at the stars and you remember, that’s right, God made the stars. He knows them by name, he knows my name. He made me and everything is gonna be okay. Sometimes we need that perspective, don’t we? Hmm. Well, I am so glad you’re here. We are right in the middle of a series called Fire Stories in the Bible, and today we’re gonna be diving into First Kings Chapter 19, and we’re gonna meet Elijah. He was worn out by life. Do you feel like that today? He was in some serious need of perspective. He needed to sit by the fire of God’s promises and be warmed again. Two people wanted to kill Elijah, probably more, but King Ahab and Jezebel, his queen. They were really mad at him because he was a prophet and they didn’t like the things that he was saying and doing, and they wanted him dead. And Elijah was exhausted.
So join me, here we go. First Kings chapter 19, beginning in verse three, “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.’ Then he laid down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, ‘Get up and eat!’ He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and laid down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There he came to a cave where he spent the night.”
Let’s just pause for a hot second here. The Lord God, through one of his angels, fed Elijah. More than bread, gave him hope, gave him true rest, gave him the energy and strength and courage to keep moving. And God does this with us through His words. This is why we pause for seven minutes together to read God’s word, because it’s how he sustains us and strengthens us. So moving on. So Elijah spends the night in the cave. “And the Lord said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ Elijah replied, ‘I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me too.'” Have you ever talked like that to God? God, don’t you see what’s going on? I’m the only one. “‘Go out and stand before me on the mountain.’ The Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there,” I’m getting the good chills, “the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was a sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He replied again,’ I have zealously served. The Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left and now they’re trying to kill me too.'” Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? He said it again to the Lord. “Then the Lord told him, ‘Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu, grandson of Nimshi to be King of Israel, and anoint Elisha. son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!'”
This is an incredibly beautiful story because God gives Elijah everything he needs; rest, food, strength, and then he reveals the plan. I am so touched by that story about the wind that came through and God wasn’t in the wind, and the fire and God wasn’t in the fire, and then the gentle whisper. Even when my voice got low just now, don’t you just feel a little calm thinking of God whispering to you? Right? And saying, I have a plan, it’s gonna be okay. You know, so often we have windstorms in our minds, don’t we? We believe lies that turn into windstorms. I’m not enough, I’m insufficient. You know, bank accounts can have insufficient funds, but there is nothing insufficient about you. God is not in those lies. And the fires that come to our hearts, oh, how could God love me? I’ve done it again. Oh, God is not in those fiery, terrible thoughts. The enemy is though. He throws those fiery darts at you, but then the whisper comes, the gentle whisper: I will never leave you; I will never forsake you. I died for you while you were a sinner. Those are truths that you can hang your hat on. Those are promises that can warm you by the fire. Okay. So until next time, remember, you are loved.
Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. Find more podcasts that will recharge you at onpurposely.com.
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