In quietness and in confident trust
I rest in all that You are......until I behold Your face (Lyrics from "My Living Sacrifice")
There are times when we find ourselves at the brink of cynicism and atheism when reality simply defies all logic, hopes, reasoning and justice.
When it seems like even God has abandoned ship......that God does not exist.
When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day's journey.
He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all - to just die: "Enough of this, GOD! Take my life - I'm ready to join my ancestors in the grave!"
Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush.
Suddenly an angel shook him awake and said, "Get up and eat!" He looked around and, to his surprise, right by his head were a loaf of bread baked on some coals and a jug of water. He ate the meal and went back to sleep. The angel of GOD came back, shook him awake again, and said, "Get up and eat some more - you've got a long journey ahead of you." He got up, ate and drank his fill, and set out. Nourished by that meal, he walked forty days and nights, all the way to the mountain of God, to Horeb. When he got there, he crawled into a cave and went to sleep. 1 Kings 19:3-9 The Message.
Only to realise that His presence is but found in the hearts of those who thirst for Him, where He permeates. That He sustains us by His grace as He teaches us to discern His voice.
Then the word of GOD came to him: "So Elijah, what are you doing here?" "I've been working my heart out for the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies," said Elijah.
"The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me."
Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before GOD. GOD will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD, but GOD wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but GOD wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.
When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?"
Elijah said it again, "I've been working my heart out for GOD, the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me." 1 Kings 19:9-14 The Message.
And where the Presence of GOD is, there is life and a vision and hope for our tomorrows.
GOD said, "Go back the way you came through the desert to Damascus. When you get there anoint Hazael; make him king over Aram. Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi; make him king over Israel.
Finally, anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Anyone who escapes death by Hazael will be killed by Jehu; and anyone who escapes death by Jehu will be killed by Elisha.
Meanwhile, I'm preserving for myself seven thousand souls: the knees that haven't bowed to the god Baal, the mouths that haven't kissed his image." 1 Kings 19:15-18 The Message.
In Christ,
Sv ",+
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