The Voice and Presence of God
1 Kings 19:1-16
Israel was in a tense situation when Ahab was king. Ahab built a temple for Baal, and his wife Jezebel brought a large entourage of priests and prophets of Baal and Asherah into the country. In this context Elijah is introduced in 1 Kings 17:1 as Elijah "the Tishbite". Elijah warns Ahab that there will be years of catastrophic drought so severe that not even dew will form, because Ahab and his queen stand at the end of a line of kings of Israel who are said to have "done evil in the sight of the Lord". Elijah did some daring and trouble-making things which put his life in danger, but he has stood up for what he knew God would want. He finds himself “on the run”. You can read the story beginning in 1 Kings 17.
There are times in one’s life when everything seems to be falling apart. The challenges at the time and those that lie ahead seem to be bigger than you think you can handle. It may be a financial crisis, the potential loss of home or job or both. It may be your child who is going down the wrong path—drugs, rough friends, gangs, or showing signs of self-destruction. Your relationships may be falling apart. There are so many scenarios.
I recently faced one of those times. I fell and fractured a bone in my back. A week later, my husband was in the hospital because of pneumonia and heart problems. I was semi-dependent on others and his prognosis was questionable at the best. Each day there were decisions to be made and then those decisions were turned upside down and new ones had to be put in place.
When we finally brought him home, I was scared and felt totally out of control. As a result, I felt like I lashed out at those who were trying to help me. I felt like my life was being tossed and turned by wind, earthquake, and fire. I found myself crying out to God regularly. And in the moments that I spent in the presence of God, in the silence of God’s Spirit touching me and comforting me, I found hope and a future. But only then could I ask forgiveness of those whom I had hurt—the very ones who had given their best for me and my husband.
Trusting God, I experienced peace within. The future, still unknown, began to take shape and healing of mind, body, and spirit quickened. Today, my husband has returned home. He is making great progress of recovery. We look at one another with love and the common knowledge that God was there with us, every hour, every day. Today we praise God and let God create the future for us.
It was out of the silence alone with God, that Elijah was able to hear the Word of God that could show him the future. Not all was done for nothing. Elijah would be able to choose someone else to take up the cause for which he had labored so hard on God’s behalf.
You and I need to remember that in the midst of our greatest moments of service and in the times of our lowest seasons of life, God is there. We are not alone. With God all things are possible. Peace be with you and yours.
—Tyger Penson