if you read 1 Kings 18, you'll read quite the show-down between the prophets of baal and elijah. the prophets of baal have so start begging baal to show up. and he never did. the false god proved to be false in attendance. elijah wasn't stricken by the challenge to give God glory, no, he created more of an altar for it. he asked that sticks, wood, a trench of water to be prepared around the altar. that way, when it lit up on fire (the plan), it would be a miracle that soaking wet altar became consumed with the fire of god.
god showed up, because he is not false. he is dominant and present. he responds when he is called upon. in this case, he lit up a flooded altar with Himself.
When Jezebel found out, she was not pleased. She threatened his life. and in spite of the power that God exhibited through and for Elijah, he ran away (1 Kings 19). he was intimidated and scared. in his flight, he hid in a cave in the wilderness. eventually, the Lord shows up to Elijah and confronts him....
"There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 11And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.13And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 1 Kings 19:9-14
What I love about this story, tidbits that god revealed to me this morning::
1) on the heels of incredible anointing, power, and courage, Elijah felt consumed with great fear. this happens to me. and though i'd like not to validate my flesh, i somehow feel empowered to receive from god that one of his prophets was afflicted with similar issues. which leads me to...
2) god shows up. he shows up to prove himself, to illustrate his deep belief in his children
3) the presence of the lord joined elijah. never once was elijah alone. and the lord didn't prove himself through wind, earthquake or fire (though he used those things to illustrate himself). the lord showed up by sharing his voice. elijah listened to the voice. elijah obeyed the voice of the lord.
i have been fervently curious this week about the voice of god, listening to the voice of god, and knowing what he says as instruction for each of my actions. i have been inspired by the learnings, namely: that the presence of god isn't in the offerings of god. the presence of god is Himself, the greatest blessing offered for life. Full Life through and in Him.
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