Fun in the Son…Freedom with Christ
So, if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36, NIV)
July 13th, 2022
REVIVAL: OUTRUN the RAIN
We just had witnessed a miracle in our previous study, receiving a revival of sorts, when God did everything short of appearing in person to the wayward and unbelieving people, to prove Himself the one true God. Elijah, a prophet in that day, in a godless land, so badly desired the lost people he was trying to lead, to know his God (big ‘G’ God) and cease from worshiping the false gods (little ‘g’ gods). Because of the godlessness of that day, Elijah had called off dew and rain, and there wasn’t so much as a raindrop for three years. Then Elijah summoned God to show His power against the little ‘g’ gods, and God showed up so mightily, the people immediately knew Elijah had been right all along. He also brought with Him a forecast of rain, and a raincloud the size of a man’s hand. Elijah needed no more proof than a spoken word from God Almighty and he took off to outrun the rain.
At the same time, there was a miserable monarchy in place, a King named Ahab and his wretched wife Jezebel. (I really think she wore the robe in the family.) She threatened Elijah to within an inch of his life, and while he was outrunning the rain, he was fueled by her bitterness. Suddenly, we find this majestic man of God, who has commanded the weather forecast for three years and who also defeated and then slaughtered 850 prophets of the false little ‘g’ gods, hiding in the back of a cave, sniveling like a coward, nursing suicidal tendencies.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I think if I am that in tune with the Holy God, then I wouldn’t find myself hoping the light in my life goes out for good. But, you know, the enemy can really wear us down, can’t he? You know, when we are on the top of the world one minute, and immediately thereafter, find ourselves on the bottom the next. We have such a patient God, however. He is just as faithful and patient today with us as He was back in the day with Elijah.
While Elijah is blubbering and feeling sorry for himself, God shows up again—He finds Elijah—summoned by Elijah’s needs, and asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (I Kings 19:9) Can you even imagine what that would be like to have the voice of God Almighty come not from within, but from with-out?! Do you think for one moment that the God of the Universe, the Creator of mankind, doesn’t know exactly what Elijah is doing and what he is feeling? Of course, He does. Just like He knows where you are and what you are doing and what you are feeling. But this God, our God, Elijah’s God, gently and patiently listens to Elijah remind Him of all he has done on God’s behalf. As if God didn’t already know! Isn’t that how it always is? We feel forgotten and unseen and we find we really just need to remind the God of the Universe of all our credentials and abilities and all He is missing out on by setting us on a safe ledge while He works on our hearts.
I love this. ‘The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”’ (1 Kings 19:11-13, NIV)
It has been said in so many different fashions, but the truth of it is, the enemy of our souls cannot steal what God has purposed for you and I, but he can rob us of our confidence. He cannot take the destiny God has for us, but he can cause us to doubt it. He cannot inherit what is rightfully yours as a child of the Most High King, but he can make you believe you are not worthy of it so you never show up when it’s time to receive what is yours.
I love that in the Scripture above, we find a patient and faithful God Who shows up. He finds us in our caves of shame, hidden in our hopelessness and despair, Who passes by and quietly whispers because He has come so close to where we are in hiding that we can even hear His whisper. It may take an act of God to get our attention, but there is nothing so sweet as His gentle whisper and lovingkindness.
We don’t know exactly why Elijah felt so anguished he wished to die, and we don’t know what it was in the commands the Lord God gave him in the cave that caused him to rise up to the next occasion. Whatever it was, Elijah would go on to serve the Lord faithfully and to bring about the prophet who next would fill his sandals. It is up to us to be revived and to move forward in obedience to be who God has called us to be. So, Beautiful You, come out of the cave; the Lord is about to pass by, and He wants to see you. He has marching orders for us and that is to bring everyone everywhere into His saving grace. Time is short. We have work to do!
Psalm 34:4-6, ‘God met me more than halfway, He freed me from my anxious fears. Look at Him; give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.’ (MSG)
Out of all the living things God made, He created mankind to BE. Whatever, whoever, you are, Beautiful You, BE the best version of you; BE the change this world needs; BE filled; BE free!
