Untitled Sermon (4)

The only place to look is up.

Well, welcome to the second week of chapel for the winter 2021 semester, and the first week of our series called Conversations with God. We’ll be focusing on different aspect of prayer - types of conversations we have with God over the course of the next few weeks. Today, I’d like to explore a conversation I’m sure we’ve all experienced. It goes something like this: “dear God… HELP!” We’ve all experienced this haven’t we? How many times does life throw us a curve ball that leaves us with no clue of how to survive, let alone thrive.

As I was preparing this sermon, I was listening to “The Way,” by Pat Barrett. I was so struck by this song, particularly these lines:

“Through every battle, through every heart break, through every circumstance… I believe You are the way, the truth, and the life.”

He goes on to say:

“You meet me here today with mercies that are new. All my fears and doubts, they can all come too, because they can’t stay long, when I’m here with You.”

All my fears, all my doubts, everything doesn’t stay long when God is near. They just can’t. When we turn to God with that cry of “HELP ME!” He is there.

Elijah experienced something similar to this. 1 Kings 19 documents Elijah’s breaking point, having braved Jezebel and Ahab, called down fire from heaven, predicted rain after years of drought, and run faster then a chariot and horses, now finds himself in a cave on a mountain, fearful and distraught. His life in severe danger. This is not a picture of that fiery prophet we all know. This is Elijah the ravaged and shaken man fearing for his life.

1 Kings 19

We’ll be focusing today mostly on verses 9-18, but I want to read the beginning of the chapter for the sake of context.

1 Kings 19 ESV

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. 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?” He 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.” And 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. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And 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?” He 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.” And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

A Pattern of Events

When I went through this passage I found this pattern of events:

God asks

Elijah, what are you doing here?

Elijah responses

God my life is in danger. I have no one, and no one even loves You anymore, except me.

God shows up

Elijah, I’m coming to see you. Join me outside.

God asks again

Elijah, why are you up here?

Elijah says the exact same thing

God my life is in danger. I have no one, and no one even loves You anymore, except me.

God speaks

Do you see how this pattern went? Elijah is desperate, and God speaks to him. Elijah explains his woes, and God literally shows up. Elijah still focuses on the enormity of his problems, and God speaks definitively and decisively. Yet not without compassion and care for Elijah.

God’s care for Elijah is evident throughout through entire passage. God comes to Elijah, first by word, and then physically manifesting Himself. Not in overwhelming ka-boom of natural disaster, but rather in the calm and soothing whisper. Can you imagine it? A gentle whisper. Then in that whipser God speaks. It’s not loud or forceful, yet there is certainty,

“Elijah, go down from here. I have a successor for you. Not only that, I am raising up better rulers, people who will take the place of these who are trying to kill you. And Elijah, you’re not alone. I’m already here, but look, there are still 7000 people who have never, even once, swayed from me to these false gods. Elijah, trust me and go.”

God knows, God will show up, and God will speak.

Here’s the thing I want us to grasp from this time: God knows, God is here, and God will speak.

This season is a tough time. I know I have struggled and will struggle some more. God knows, and I believe having read this passage God sees and listens and is with me in that. He is also with you. Even before you cried for help God was there. So when you did, or do, He is hearing you and responding. God spoke to Elijah when he was at the end of his rope, completely despairing. He was isolated from people and felt alone. Yet first God seeks Elijah - already knowing the problems he’s facing - and meets Elijah where he is at. Finally, God begins to speak life back into tired bones.

I want to challenge you in this tough time to listen to what God is speaking to you. What are his words of life for you? God doesn’t minimize how we feel and the pain we are in. He is so close to us He feels exactly what we are feeling. He knows exactly what you need, and He will sustain you. Prayers, wether whispered in barely conscious thought or intentionally screamed to the sky all receive the same undying attention from our Lord. God knows, God is here, and God will speak words of life to you. Maybe those words of life are simply the acknowledgment of the feelings you have. Maybe on top of that you need to hear the push of the Spirit guiding you on to the next thing. Maybe all He is saying is keep moving. But let me assure you that whatever He is saying, He is walking right beside you, closer than any other.

So here is the challenge for you today: listen to God’s response when your conversation with Him is that cry for help. Maybe it will come through a friend, maybe it’s in watching Him work through a circumstance. Maybe it’s just that small whisper that says “keep going.” You can bring your fears, and hurts, and apprehensions to God. But they don’t stay long with Him. They can’t! Our God is the God is courage and peace. So because God knows, and because God is here, and because God speaks, bring your cry to Him and listen to what He is speaking to you.

Application Questions

When are you most apt to hear from God? In the middle of your day, maybe just after you get up and it’s still quiet. Perhaps it’s late at night.

How does God speak to you? Do you hear His audible voice, or perhaps it’s through circumstance or other people.

Ask God to reveal to you what message He has for you right now. How is God speaking to you?