A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 5, Day 3

Read 1 Kings 19: 19 - 21

In today's reading from chapter 19 we meet the other prophet upon which our study will focus - Elisha. God provides Elijah with much needed support in the person of Elisha. We find the same kind of relationship that God provided for Moses in the person of Joshua - an "attendant", an aide, a successor.

Remember, the name, Elijah, means: "The Lord is my God". Elisha's name means: "God is salvation" or "God saves". With both men, their names express the essence of their ministry and life's work. As with Moses, God provides a person to finish the work ... because God's purposes will be fulfilled ... even when His servants grow weary.

Notice a couple of things in these verses:

1. The phrase, "threw his cloak around him", designates Elisha as Elijah's chosen successor. Actually, God's chosen successor for Elijah. Elisha understood the significance of the gesture. He immediately responds. God knows the hearts of people. Elisha was going about his business when he was touched by God for this special relationship and special role. Lesson for us? Waiting on God does not mean sitting around doing nothing. We keep living our lives, faithfully, in the places where we are. We stay in communication with God always ... ever ready for a "word" from Him. When that "word" comes ... we are then prepared to respond.

2. Secondly, Elisha approached his commission with an "all or nothing" mindset. Did you notice in verse 21 the COMPLETE break with his past vocation and work? It reminds me of what I have read about the Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortez. In 1519 Cortez and his crew made land near the site of Veracruz, Mexico. Cortez burned his ships so that there would be no thought of retreat or return. That's total commitment! And that is exactly what Elisha did. He LEFT his former vocation ... and followed Elijah. Will we live with that kind of commitment?
Listen to Paul in Romans 6: 1 - 4 ...

What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?

By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus

were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with Him

through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from

the dead through the glory of the Father,

we too may live a new life.

I am reminded of the little song ... sing it with me as we close this week ...

I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus,

I have decided to follow Jesus,

No turning back, no turning back.

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 5, Day 2

Read 1 Kings 19: 9 - 18

Elijah, strengthened by food, drink and rest, traveled 40 days and nights to reach Horeb. The significance of that location must not go unnoticed. Horeb is the general name for the whole mountain range of which Sinai was one of the summits. (Easton's Bible Dictionary). It is the geographic location where God called Moses through the burning bush (Exodus 3:1). This is where God made covenant with the descendants of Jacob - providing for them the laws, both moral and civil, that were to give them a national identity. This journey to Horeb has the feel of a "back to your roots" kind of journey. It is as if Elijah must strip everything away to remember where he came from, what his purpose was - to examine the hows and whys of his very life.

And God is present. In response to God's question, Elijah began to pour out his frustrations. He adamantly tells God that he, Elijah, deserves much better than he is getting! Ever feel that way? You've done things right - you've been faithful - and WHAM - life does not play fair. I bet you have been there ... Elijah is just more honest than we tend to be!

God's response to Elijah's accusations is quite interesting. He does not answer point by point. In fact, it may appear that God does not answer the complaints at all. He assures of His Presence. And that is enough. I am reminded when Paul learned that the grace of God was sufficient, it is enough. (2 Corinthians 12:9). The response to Elijah from God comes in 4 waves.

1. The wind. Wind can be a violent, destructive force. Just ask those of us who live on the Gulf coast and weather hurricanes. Talk to someone in Oklahoma who lives with the reality of tornadoes in the spring. Wind can take everything you have ... and blow it away. Wind can be so incredibly loud that you cannot hear above the roar. Elijah can hear nothing right now except the terrifying voice of Jezebel. God is not "doing that" to him - nor does He to you.

2. The earthquake. Earthquakes rock your world like nothing else. The ground is the one stable thing in our lives, right? Wrong. Earthquakes rip the very foundation upon which we stand wide open. Ask someone from San Francisco. More devastating, ask someone from Haiti. Elijah's world has been ripped open by Jezebel and he sees no reason to live. God is not "doing that" to him - nor does He to you. The foundations of our lives get rocked ... by all sorts of things.

3. The fire. Fire can be an all-consuming thing. It takes everything in its path. And the destruction is complete. Talk to someone who has lost their home to fire. Talk to the fire fighters who try to stay ahead of the devastating forest fires that rape acre after acre, mile after mile of beautiful, life-giving and life-sustaining forest. Jezebel's threats, Jezebel's hard heart, Jezebel's unrelenting opposition to Jehovah is consuming our prophet. God is not "doing that" to Elijah - nor does He to you. But things can consume us. Sickness, finances, rebellious children, death (what will your list include?)

4. It is in the fourth wave of illustration where God reveals His presence to Elijah. The NIV calls it "a gentle whisper". I love the NRSV translation - "the sound of sheer silence." And we return to the lesson that is so incredibly difficult for us to internalize. The need for quiet and stillness before the LORD. Are you practicing this? Where will you carve out some minutes today to be silent and still before the God of Elijah? It is OK to start small. Can you do 5 minutes today? Perhaps 3? When tomorrow? We must start somewhere. Don't say you don't have time. We make time for the things we consider important. No one is asking you (certainly not God!) to neglect your children, or your spouse, or your work ... just claim 5 minutes to sit before the Lord, your God ... quietly.

To soothe a wounded spirit ... spend time in the sheer silence.

To rest from battling life ... spend time in the sheer silence.

To rejuvenate a tired soul ... spend time in the sheer silence.

To find renewed courage ... spend time in the sheer silence.

Spend time in stillness with your God.

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 5, Day 1

This week: 1 Kings 19

Today, focus your attention on verses 1 - 8

It is so incredibly easy to watch another persons foolish behavior and identify it. Much easier to identify in others than in ourselves, wouldn't you agree? We find it hard to believe that Jezebel completely ignores the obvious - is in total denial of reality. How could this smart woman be so stupid? King Ahab reports to her the incredible events that have happened on Mount Carmel - the undeniable preeminence of Jehovah and the impotence of Baal. The people of Israel have fallen on their knees as they acknowledged that Jehovah is indeed God. The atmosphere is ripe for revival. And the queen? There is no hint of revival in her heart. God has sent a visual wake-up call to His people ... and instead of responding, she pushes harder in the opposite direction. She is so enraged that her control was challenged that she puts a "hit" out for Elijah. I suspect she had no shortage of men willing to carry out the sentence for their queen.

On a much less dramatic level (and that is understatement at it finest!), why do you think we get so bent out of shape when our own personal agendas are threatened? We can be completely blinded to reality and to the better choice when our personal 'wants' scream so loudly in our heads. Perhaps that is why God tells us to "be still" if we want to hear Him. Never shy away from passion ... but be wary of agenda-driven passion!

And Elijah - what happens to our protagonist? This is the same Elijah that told the widow of Zarephath "Don't be afraid" when she was facing starvation and death (1 Kings 17:13). This is the same Elijah that has just confronted 450 prophets of Baal, soundly defeated them in the bizarre competition on Mount Carmel, and seen to their execution. This is the same Elijah that has courageously faced the King of the land on numerous occasions. But today - we find him scared!

A couple of observations about fear. It comes when we are emotionally spent. And Elijah is. He has poured himself out on Mount Carmel - hours of intensity against the Baal prophets. He knows, on a deeper level than anyone else, the enormity of what is happening. He knows what is at risk. Add to that the relief of the rain! I suspect the description of a "limp rag" is not far from the reality for Elijah. It is wise to know when your emotions are raw - when you have given of yourself and are drained dry. Know yourself well enough to know when you are nearing the end of the emotional rope so you can take care of yourself.

Fear can creep in when we are physically spent. And Elijah is. He has traveled on foot from Sidon back to Samaria and climbed Mt. Carmel. He has spent the day on the mountain in confrontation with the priests of Baal. He has RUN before the chariot of the King back to Jezreel. The man had to be incredibly tired. Again, it is wise to know your physical limits. Know when your reaching the end of your physical strength and endurance. Know it so you can take care of yourself.

Another interesting fact about fear - it turns you totally into "self". You can see nothing else. It happened to Elijah. He became so self-absorbed that all he could see was himself, not God. And depression took hold. Ever been there? Tired and afraid ... depression then slips in and you just want to quit. Take heart, my friend, you do not have to stay there.

Elijah needed rest. He needed sleep, water and food. God knew. God provided. God did not scold or reprimand or chastise. God took care of the needs of His exhausted prophet. And He will take care of you.

Practical advise for today? Take care of yourself. When you are tired ... why not try resting? Not more caffeine ... rest. Not more sugar ... rest. (I am speaking to myself here!) Several years ago I heard one of our country's female astronauts give a speech in Houston. She told about trying to keep an impossibly busy schedule, pushing herself because she felt that she needed to, and could. She pushed herself until, in her words, "One morning I couldn't move. I physically could not move. It was as if my body was saying to me, 'Girl, you can go if you want, but I'm not going!'" And she learned to take care of herself. Having a calendar so packed that there is not a moment for rest, for wise eating, for quiet - does not make you important. It actually makes you foolish! Let's learn from Elijah.

God takes care of Elijah physically ... and we watch our prophet set out for Horeb to the "mountain of God". That is Mount Sinai. God has more business to do from this mountain ... see what He does in the next few verses, and we will talk about it next time.

Want to shine? Take care of yourself so that you can allow the light of God to shine through you. An exhausted vessel is like a dull lamp bulb - you just can't see true brightness through it!
I don't want to be like that ...

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 4, Day 3

We are in 1 Kings 18.





Today, Scene 3, verses 41 - 46





God accepts the sacrifice. And Israel has a wave of reformation. They acknowledge that Jehovah is indeed God and the slaughter of the priests of Baal is a purging of evil from their midst. Elijah, recognizing that God accepted the offering, sends King Ahab to celebrate. Ecclesiastes 9:7 says, "Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do." Elijah said there was the sound of heavy rain. Did he hear something? Or was this the hearing of faith? I think it was the hearing of faith because Elijah goes to prayer - to the top of Mt Carmel - on his knees in humility. And he stays persistent and faithful in prayer. We don't know how much time passes ... but we do know that his servant went back to observe the heavens 7 times before he saw the smallest little cloud in the sky. That was enough. Elijah knew that the time was now. Two observations as we close this chapter ...





1. I am impressed by Elijah's persistence in prayer - his willingness to see this thing all the way to its end. He knew the rains were coming but he would not cease his communication with his God until it began. I can imagine how tired Elijah was. Expending yourself physically (he built an altar!) and emotionally (can you imagine the emotional investment?) drains every ounce of energy from your body. I might have wanted to go with Ahab to eat a bite and then sleep! But Elijah goes to prayer. I wish we knew what he was saying to God at this point. What we see is a man of God - quietly praying to his God - waiting in faith. Don't give up on your prayer. Are you praying for a spouse, or a child to experience new birth in Christ or reformation in life? Don't give up. Quietly, continually, pray to God ... and wait in faith.





2. When the cloud appears and Elijah knows the rains are imminent, he lets King Ahab know so he can get to the city before the roads become impassable with mud. I can see this scene. Those of us living in Houston experience it periodically. No clouds ... then a small one ... then a few large drops of water fall from the sky ... then the heavens open and water pours down ... and roads flood! The incredible part of this scene to me is verse 46. Read it again to refresh your memory. Why didn't Ahab honor Elijah by having him ride alongside him in his chariot? We know from previous verses that Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought. Does he not credit him now with the rains? Did he not want to talk with Elijah about further reformation in the kingdom? Or did he just want to be free of this prophet. Or is he so totally self-absorbed that he had no thought of Elijah now? Crisis over - back to ME - kind of thinking? So Elijah (through the power of God) RUNS in front of the chariot as one of Ahab's footmen! "Running before the king indicates service to that king" (NIV Application Commentary). Don't miss it! Elijah shows civil respect to the king of the land. To King Ahab. After being accused, ridiculed and even hunted ... Elijah shows civil respect to his king. We have some lessons to learn from Elijah. And this is a big one! What if they don't behave respectably? Well. Ahab didn't. What if I think they are totally wrong? Well. Ahab was - and will be again. What if I disagree completely with their philosophical positions? Well. Elijah certainly did not agree with Ahab.





Listen to Paul in Romans 13: 1 "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God." Those words were written to Christians in Rome during the reign of Nero. Nero!





Want to shine? Show respect to the governing authorities. Not because of them ... because of God. And pray ...

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 4, Day 2

We are in 1 Kings 18 this week.

Today - Scene 2 - verses 16 - 40.

What is it about competitions that we so love? I am writing this during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver ... and the buzz is alive! Football season has just ended ... and the Super Bowl, once again, attracted a phenomenal audience. In our reading today, we observe a most remarkable competition. I wish we could sit around a table and talk about the parts of the scene that stood most dramatically out in your minds. We do end with a winner and a loser. Sometimes we think of this as a competition between the prophets of Baal and Elijah. And that is what the people see with their physical eyes. But the opposing sides of this competition are Jehovah God and Baal. It seems strange to me since Baal is actually a non-person, a non-thing. He doesn't exist. Or does he?

What in the world are we to gain from this reading? Is it merely a most entertaining story - one that would make quite a visual feast for Hollywood? You have seen enough movies to be able to visualize this scene: 400 priests in their "priestly attire" frenetically dancing around an altar, loudly crying out to Baal, even cutting themselves to let their blood flow as a blood offering. (Notice they did not go all the way to human sacrifice of themselves like they did for babies). Then visualize Elijah, in silence, picking up the 12 stones from the altar to Jehovah - the stones that had fallen around the neglected altar, preparing the bull, and then pouring water over the whole thing until it even filled the trench. How many jars of water? Twelve. Four jars, filled three times. And with this focus on twelve, Elijah calls these people back to remembering the covenant relationship they had with Jehovah ... back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Visualize the fire that drops from heaven and licks up the entire arrangement - sacrifice, wood, altar, water - all. Quite a story! The good guy wins.

Again, what are WE to gain? To me, the most powerful verse in this section is verse 21. Read it again. Can you hear Elijah place the same question before you? Do you have an answer? The Israelites did not. Did they not understand or were they too ashamed to answer or were they not sure? Don't know.

Listen to some statements from the NIV Application Commentary by August Konkel:

The Baal cult against which Elijah battles is in essence a religion of
materialism. The rule of Baal and the timely appearance of the fall
and winter rains were crucial to agricultural success and the economic
success of Israel. ... Materialism has the power to bring about a
strange kind of double-mindedness. Desire for wealth displaces
allegiance to God, though loyalty to God is claimed just the same.

Listen to Jesus in Matthew 6: 24

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love
the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve both God and Money.

You see, it actually is the same competition still going on. The battle is for allegiance. The battle is for the mind and heart of man. So Elijah is asking you and I as well, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if wealth, money, the 'market' is God, then follow that." We know who is the final victor in this competition. We have observed a visual. Whose team are you on?

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 4, Day 1

Our lesson and thoughts this week will come from 1 Kings 18. First, read the chapter in its entirety.

There are three scenes in this chapter. Today, we will focus on Scene 1: verses 1 - 16. Re-read these verses with your mind on Obadiah.



I am intrigued by this man. We don't know much about him except what we read here. What do you think of him? Do you see him as one of the "good guys" or do you see him as a "compromiser"? The commentators are split on him. The name, Obadiah, was a common one in the Old Testament days. In fact, there are no less than 11 personages by that name in Scripture. This one is not the prophet that wrote the little book "Obadiah" in the Old Testament. The name itself means "worshiper" or "loyal to Jehovah". Maybe that is why we see the name used often in scripture. I can see parents placing the desires of their hearts onto their little baby boy by the choice of the name. What did you name your children? Do any of the names reflect your hopes for them?

I am personally impressed by this man, Obadiah. I see him as one of the "good guys". If you do not, you have good company. Warren Wiersbe sees Obadiah as a picture of the compromising Christian. In his commentary, he states that we need fewer Obadiah's and more Elijah's in the contemporary church. However, I see Obadiah in a different light. I think he is shining in a dark place. Consider with me ...

1. Scripture itself describes him as one who revered the Lord. (verse 3) When you compare the translations in several versions, you get a very good picture of the Hebrew word yare that is used to describe Obadiah.

a devout believer in the LORD (NIV)

feared the LORD greatly (NASB)

revered the LORD greatly (New Revised Standard)

a true follower of the LORD (New Century)

a devoted follower of the LORD (New Living Testament)

What beautiful descriptions! I long for that word to be one to describe me. What about you? Are you devoted to God? What makes someone devoted, revering the LORD greatly? Does it have to do with busy-ness for the Lord? Does it have to do with how much time in meditation and prayer you clock each day? I think it has more to do with your mindset toward God. I think it has more to do with your surrendered heart to Him. The English word, devoted, means: "zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty, or affection" (Random House Dictionary). Apply that definition to your heart toward God. This I know, my friends ... if we want to "shine" in the world in which we live ... it begins right here. It begins by being devoted, greatly, to the LORD.

2. The second thing that impresses me about Obadiah is the fact that he is doing what he can where he is. Did you notice that he hid 100 true prophets of God during Jezebel's holocaust? Was that all of them? We don't know but I doubt it. Not only did he hide them, he then made certain that they had bread and water for survival. I suspect he had access to that amount of supplies because he was in the palace. Where else? The entire country was immersed in a terrible drought. Obadiah did what he could where he was. Years ago a book and myriad of posters and cards trumpeted the phrase "Bloom where you are planted." It's still good advice. Have you ever decided that you just can't shine for the Lord because you are in the wrong place. Either the wrong job or the wrong city or the wrong circumstances. Obadiah might tell us to hush! Get on with it. You are where you are. Now - revere the Lord your God and shine for Him. Represent Him well.

3. I also love the interchange between Obadiah and Elijah when they met on the road. Obadiah showed his respect to this man of God. But he was also open and honest with Elijah about his own fears for his personal life. He then listened to Elijah's response, believed him to be a man of his word, and proceeded to do what he was asked to do. He did not let his fear paralyze him into inactivity. Fear does that, doesn't it? Fear of whatever - real or imagined. But Obadiah acknowledged his fear, verbalized it ... and they were diminished enough for him to move out and do what Elijah asked of him. I think there is wisdom there for us. What fears are stifling you? What are the ones that are keeping you from being a "light on a hill" for our Lord? I would suggest you verbalize them to a friend - someone you trust. Getting them out into the light helps diminish them. Don't let them paralyze or inhibit you from being what God has called you to be.

Want to shine?

Devote yourself to the Lord: He is the source of light

Do what you can where you are: Don't wait for the ideal place and time - there is no such thing!

Acknowledge your fears: Don't pretend they are nonexistent or assign them too much power. You are under the Lordship of the all-powerful One!

"This little light of mine ... I'm going to let it shine."

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 3, Day 3

Read 1 Kings 17: 17 - 24

Today we look at Scene 3 in this interesting chapter. Elijah is residing in the home of the widow to whom God sent him. Houses in that region traditionally had flat roofs. Often there was an extra room built on the roof and Elijah was staying in that extra room.

Tragedy strikes. Death enters the home. The woman's son gets sick and dies. Don't miss her immediate response. She does what so many of us do when tragedy strikes. She jumps to the conclusion that she is responsible for his death. It is somehow connected to her sin. It is a thought still prevalent in our world. In the musical, "The Sound of Music", one of the songs that Maria sings when she experiences the love of the Captain includes the words: "Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good." There it is - the thought that the good and the bad that one experiences is a direct result of the one! The SELF is the cause of all. And we attempt to draw a straight line between a tragedy and a particular sin ... or a blessing and a particular behavior. It is not necessarily so. Yes, there are consequences of sin and we have both witnessed and experienced that fact. But be careful before you attempt to draw straight lines. I have heard some horrific comments attempting to draw straight lines in relationship to things like where hurricanes hit, terrorist attacks, earthquakes. Jesus warned us about that kind of thinking.

"The rabbis of Jesus' day had developed the principle that there is no suffering without sin. They were even capable of thinking that a child could sin in the womb or that its soul might have sinned in a preexistent state. They also held that terrible punishments came on certain people because of the sin of their parents. " (NIV Study Bible) Jesus plainly contradicts these beliefs ...

Read John 9: 1 - 5


Back to Elijah's story. This widow was not responsible for the death of her son. She was allowed, however, to witness the glory and wonder of God. And, I believe, it transformed her life and her "world-view". I believe, for her, Baal was now history. When Elijah returned the boy to her arms, she spoke her "testimony":

Now I KNOW that you are a man of God

and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.

Did she not believe this before? Well - she did - but. Now she KNOWS! It is plain. It is sight.

My friends, there is a day coming when our faith, our knowing, will be sight. It will be KNOWING! I am confident of that fact. Our task? Walk in faith - even if that faith may feel a bit shaky sometimes. Echo the words of that father who took his demon-possessed boy to Jesus for healing. You find the story in Mark 9: 14 - 29. Jesus asked this father: "Do you believe? And his answer has been my own on so many occasions. The father passionately replied ...

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

An honest prayer ... I do believe ... help me!

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 3, Day 2

This week's text: 1 Kings 17: 2 - 24



Today, read 1 Kings 17: 7 - 16



We left Elijah by a wadi, getting water from it and being brought food by ravens. God is taking care of His servant. However, there is a drought in the land and the wadi dries up. God certainly could have brought water from the ground for Elijah but it seems God has something else for Elijah to do and, perhaps, to learn.

Elijah is told by God to go to the town of Zarephath, outside of Israel, in Sidon, and we watch this man of God pick up and go. I love Elijah for the picture of faithfulness that he gives us. He goes.

I would love to hear your thoughts about the widow that Elijah encounters. What can we know about her? Widowed, but we don't know how long. A mother - one son. She is not totally without because she has a house. It even has an extra room in which Elijah goes to reside. But the drought has devastated the land and the food is gone. She has reached a place of "hope lost" and has resigned herself to her own death from starvation and the death of her son. Imagine the anguish of spirit in her! Imagine her mother's heart breaking! Let her be "real" in your mind. Place yourself in her shoes. Have you ever had to walk in a place where you felt that your resources were gone? Perhaps not food ... but something else where you believed that all was "over"? On that level I can somewhat relate to her.

And here some man is asking for her help? Not much - just water and bread. But that is life - water and bread. She obviously has heard of Elijah's God by the way she addressed him. And she obviously recognized that Elijah was an Israelite and not a Sidonian. Elijah offers her a promise from Jehovah. Now put yourself in her position. What would you do? Believe him or not? This woman is asked to make an astronomical leap of faith!

Was her response out of desperation? We don't know.
Was her response from a place of "what difference does it make"? We don't know.
Was her response based on a little faith accompanied by doubt? We don't know.
Was her response totally faith driven? We don't know.
What we do know ... is that she responded to the promise of God. And it proved true.

Lessons for you and I?
Learning to trust God is not an easy task. It requires our struggle with what seems to be reality. When God's word seems to contradict what we see, which do you believe? It requires surrender and acknowledged dependence. Are you still functioning under the illusion that you are "in control"? Of anything!? It requires obedience. When you come to realize that you are not walking with God in any area of your life, what do you do?

I have lessons to learn from this widow from Zarephath. Do you?

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 3, Day1

Welcome to Lesson 3 in our 13-week study. We began our study by recognizing how desperately our world needs light. There is darkness all around ... and God calls His people to shine light. We then thrilled to learn that God uses ordinary people to be His light. No special decrees required! No economic or intellectual or cultural requirements ... just surrendered hearts to the Lord. Last week we watched as King Ahab plummeted his country, Israel, further down the pit of idolatry - leading the way with Jezebel, his queen. We closed by affirming, alongside Elijah, that the LORD lives ... and it is before Him that we stand.

Our text this week is 1 Kings 17: 2 - 24. We were introduced to our protagonist, Elijah, without any indication of background or training in verse 1 of chapter 17. Our lesson this week will allow us to see some of the training that God uses in his life to prepare him for the task of "being light in a dark world".

Today, read 1 Kings 17: 2 - 6

God pulled Elijah out of the palace, out of the capital and into a place of solitude. It is an interesting beginning place. Remember Moses? Before God used him as a powerful liberator and leader, He had him in a wilderness place for 40 years. Remember Jesus? Before He began His ministry on this earth, God had Him in a wilderness place for 40 days. God told Elijah to go to the Wadi Cherith (or Kerith) and hide himself there. All we know is that the place was east of the Jordan River. Other than that, we do not know its exact location. It was a private place - a solitary place. No houses or markets ... no synagogues or meeting places. Only Elijah - alone with his God - the God of Israel, the LORD, before Whom Elijah stood! The wadi (which is a ravine where water runs when it rains, but is dry when there is no rain) provided water for Elijah and God directed ravens to bring him bread and meat. God provided ...

You and I are so tied to day-timers and watches, to calendars and schedules - do you wonder what in the world he did all day! It's hard to imagine a day in the life of Elijah at Cherith. We struggle to have places of stillness and quiet in our fast paced world. But it seemed to matter. It seemed to be a necessary piece for the shaping of this prophet to the work of God.

Two things stand out in my mind as we consider these verses ...

1. Elijah's quick obedience. We have no record of any discussion about it. If he questioned it all, he went anyway. If he didn't understand, he went anyway. If he was concerned about what he was going to do, he went anyway. Verse 5 simply says, "So he went ...". Obedience matters. When you know what the Lord is asking of you ... what do you do? I marvel at Elijah's quick obedience. I tend to over-analyze EVERYTHING! And sometimes fall into the trap of rationalization when I don't really want to do the thing. May we be more like Elijah ... "So he went."

2. Secondly, I am impressed again with the importance of solitude. It is no accident that early church fathers listed "solitude" as one of the spiritual disciplines. It is more than just being alone. The spiritual discipline of solitude means: "the creation of an open, empty space in our lives by purposefully abstaining from interaction with other human beings, so that, freed from competing loyalties, we can be found by God." (from The Renovare' Spiritual Formation Bible) Elijah needed time away from the noise of everyday living, away from the busy-ness of serving, so that he could learn to better "rest" in the presence of God. Even Jesus needed that.

Mark 1:35 "In the morning, while it was still very dark, He got up and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed."
Luke 5:16 "He would withdraw to deserted places and pray."

Why do we think we do not need this discipline? Is it our fear of alone-ness? Is it because we don't want to hear the things our spirits are trying to communicate to us? Do we feel more important if we are constantly "busy"? The fact that in the spiritual world solitude is described as a discipline speaks volumes! Discipline requires determination and work. I commend that work to you! I challenge myself with the necessity of that work. This week ... when will you "create an open, empty space" in your week to listen to the quiet? To be found by God?

Close your study today with these precious verses ...

Psalm 46:10a Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 62:5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from Him.

Light in the Darkness: Lesson 2, Day 3

Text this week: 1 Kings 16: 29 - 17:1

Today, read again 1 Kings 17:1. Although we have no introduction to the prophet, Elijah, this is where he appears on the pages of scripture. So prior to this, he has been called by God to speak for Him. He has managed to wade through the probable bureaucracy and has an audience with King Ahab. What he says to this powerful king is remarkable - quite courageous - and could be viewed as foolhardy by someone looking on. Consider his words ...

The LORD

Elijah uses the covenant name for God - Yahweh. Using the covenant name speaks to the relationship that exists between God and His covenant people, whether they recognize it or admit it.

the God

Here Elijah uses the name Elohim. Elohim is the name God uses for Himself in Genesis 1:1 when He begins to speak this world into being. It addresses God as the creator, the divine one.

the God of Israel

Elijah stresses that this God is the God over Israel. Not Baal. And Israel includes both the people and the land and the produce of the land. All - under Yahweh.

the God of Israel lives

Unlike an idol of stone, or bronze, or wood ... the God of Israel is alive

whom I serve

Elijah makes his loyalties clear.

If you are reading in the NIV, these are the words you read, "whom I serve." However, if you are reading a more literal translation (like the NASB or NRSV) of these Hebrew words, the translation reads, "before whom I stand". That phrase indicates "where one takes his/her stand". It says that the person is vertical, not bowed or prostrate. Both bowing and standing communicate respect. However, there is a difference between the two body positions. Bowing and prostration have their focus on humbleness and submission. When you bow your head in prayer ... or kneel before the Father ... or stretch yourself out prostrate before Him ... you are saying with your body that you submit to the Lordship of Yahweh.

Standing has its focus on presenting oneself for service or presenting oneself as a gift. I can see why the translators of the NIV used the phrase "whom I serve." But I love the image the original phrase portrays.

The next occasion you have to stand in an assembly and sing - a song of praise, or a song of commitment - let that image settle in your mind and spirit. You are presenting yourself before Elohim for his service. You are presenting yourself to Yahweh as a gift - freely given.

Elijah then proceeds to tell King Ahab about the coming drought. It's not random - choosing rain to be the wake-up call. Remember, Baal is the god of the storm, the god of rain and fertility of the earth. The idolatrous Israelites have adopted a world view that ascribes rain and fertility to Baal. Jehovah is about to confront their world view!

This is the God of creation - the one who holds the lightening and the thunder and the storm in His hand. Listen to His words to His servant, Job ...

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? ............... Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle? What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth? Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm,. to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it, to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass?Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew?" (Job 38:4 - 7, 22 - 28)

God is about to show these Israelites, through Elijah, that the answer to these questions is NOT Baal!

This is the God before whom EVERY knee will eventually bow. Join me as I choose to both bow and stand before THE LIVING GOD willingly ... now.

Here I am Lord ... use me.

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 2, Day 2

Our text for this week is: 1 Kings 16: 29 - 17:1



Today look again at 1 Kings 16:34. It seems to be such a bizarre insertion of this random fact. However, we know that God is not random ... and the things in His word have purpose, even when we do not fully grasp the purpose. Let's try and put this "random" fact in the context of our study.



Remember, Israel has been on a slow, spiral decline spiritually since the days of Solomon. Even though Solomon's kingdom was splendid in the ways of the world, idolatry was setting its tentacles firmly in the hearts and minds of people, led by their king. Jeroboam, in spite of the splendid promises he had received from God (see them in 1 Kings 11: 37 - 38), fueled by fear, led the people of Israel further from God. What follows is a list of kings that led their people (actually, God's people!) on a downward spiral away from God and into the embrace of idolatry. We learn that King Ahab actually considered the "sins of Jeroboam" to be trivial, of no consequence. We watch him establish a state religion, the worship of Baal, to replace sole devotion to Jehovah, the God of Israel. He placed a temple and altar to Baal in the heart of the capital, Samaria. Was this all his own idea? I suspect not. My guess is that the ideas came from his wife, Jezebel. She was an avid, devoted Baal worshipper.



Into this scene appears verse 34. Perhaps the writer of this chronicle inserts the information about Hiel and Jericho to show the readers how far the people had gone from believing the God of Israel. Here was Jericho (which has been inhabited most of the years since its fall to the Israelites some 500 years before) with its walls still down. No one had taken it upon themselves to rebuild the magnificent walls of this fortress city.



Jericho was the first city that the Israelites conquered when they entered the land of Canaan under Joshua. If you don't know the story ... it makes interesting reading! Go to Joshua 6 and read about it. I want us to focus on verse 26 of Joshua 6. The walls are down, the city is conquered, and we read ...

At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: Cursed before the Lord

is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho:

'At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations;

at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates.'

Five hundred years have passed. The Israelites, if they remember their history, no longer believe that God is God ... and that God means what He says ... and that God's promises are sure. And so the words of God are forgotten or ignored, the walls of Jericho go back up. But at a terrible cost ... two sons' lives forfeited.

What do we learn for ourselves from this inserted fact? I confirm with you today ... and say alongside the people of God through the ages ... these four truths:

1. Jehovah is the one God


2. Jehovah expects my devotion and worship, and I freely give it


3. Jehovah is the epitome of "faithfulness"


4. Jehovah's promises will come to fruition - not on my time-table - but they will be.

As you close your study time today, reflect on the faithfulness of God.

Faithful: "maintaining allegiance to someone or something; constant; loyal" (New World Dictionary of the English Language)

God is "faithful" (translate 'allegiance to, constant, loyal') to ME!

Faithful: "firmness, steadiness, fidelity. The Old Testament often uses this word as an attribute of God, to express the total dependability of His character or promises." (Encyclopedia of Bible Words)

God is "faithful" ... I can totally, without reservation or question, trust His word!

Turn and read aloud ... Deuteronomy 7:9 ... then 1 Corinthians 1:9 ...

And sing with me ... "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Amen

A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 2. Day 1

We are watching Ahab, son of Omri, take the throne.
Read 1 Kings 16: 29 - 33

Ahab becomes king of Israel. As we have noted, Israel, at this time in history, is a prominent country. She is wealthy, militarily strong, known for the intersections of trade routes within her borders, and spiritually weak. It has been 62 years since the kingdom separated and Israel became its own entity. It has been a 62 year trek away from Jehovah and becoming more entrenched in idol worship. Ahab steps onto the scene. I see him as arrogant, entitled and completely confident in his powerful position. Continuing his political prowess, he forges an alliance with the country of Sidon by marrying the king's daughter, Jezebel.

Without reading any further, you already have a sense of this woman. Do you know anyone who has named her precious little daughter, Jezebel? I don't! And with good reason. If you look up the name in a dictionary, after the identification of the historical person, we find a secondary definition of the word, jezebel: "an impudent, shameless, or morally unrestrained woman." In the next few weeks, we will fully understand this definition!

Jezebel comes from a country that worships the god, Baal and his consort, Astarte (also recorded as Astoreth or Ashtaroth). And she brings those trappings with her to Samaria. King Ahab seems more than willing to bend her way.

The following passages will give you a shot-gun view of Baal worship. Just read through them ... making notes in your journal if you want. It is a gruesome picture. You will get a glimpse of how dark the spiritual climate in Israel had become. You will begin to gain understanding of how desperately God's people in Israel needed light!

1 Kings 14: 23 - 24
1 Kings 18:28
2 Kings 17: 16 - 17
2 Kings 23:7

Bleak, isn't it! Can you feel the dark shroud engulfing that small, but arrogant country? What would you do? This provides a dramatic picture of living in darkness. AND YET THE PEOPLE FELT ENLIGHTENED!!

When people close their eyes to light - nothing but darkness remains. We don't have to keep our eyes closed. We need not be engulfed by darkness.

Close your study time today by reading Ephesians 5: 1 - 10. Read it slowly, carefully. Look for the light ... then walk there!

This little light of mine ... I'm gonna let it shine!