Elijah - time of discouragement
God asks “What are you doing
here?”
Elijah’s discouraged answer -
much like ours might be
we
tried, tried hard, worked hard
God’s
people departed from Word and Sacrament (covenant and altar)
God’s
people have rejected God’s servants, even to the death
Persecution
all around this world, rejection of the Lord
Confessional,
faithful, historic Christianity seems to be languishing
feels
like you’re going to die
How many of you have heard the
sermon that goes on from Elijah’s discouragement to put him into
the cave where he witnesses all sorts of shows of power then finally
hears God in the still, small voice that tells him what to do? You
are then supposed to look within, listen for God’s still, small
voice, and take comfort? This isn’t that sermon.
What does God do? He tries to blow
up the mountain? He doesn’t try very hard, because the mountain
isn’t blown up. But he terrifies Elijah! Wind, breaking rocks, an
earthquake, fire - Go through that and just tell me you aren’t
scared.
I can just picture Elijah hiding
behind a rock, hoping that the cave doesn’t fall in, wondering if
he’ll get through this alive. Finally it becomes quiet, he hears
just a small sound, and he plucks up his courage to come out.
“Why
are you here?”
Elijah has the same answer. He’s
like most of us. We don’t understand that the Lord who can create
heaven and earth and everything in them can take care of us. We still
fear. We still go to hide under a rock, thinking maybe we’ll be
safe there.
So God finally tells Elijah why he
is here.
Go
anoint a king of Syria. Hazael, though a Syrian, attacked and
defeated the unfaithful leader of Israel.
Go
anoint a king of Israel. Jehu, who took the throne after Hazael
sacked Israel, defeated many of the remaining unfaithful forces of
Israel.
Go
take a follower who will take your place. Elisha had a relatively
long and productive ministry as God’s prophet.
All this moved Israel down the
path that Elijah desired, the path God desired. Elijah was
frustrated. We also are often frustrated. It doesn’t seem that we
are accomplishing anything. But God’s Word is not fruitless. Our
Lord accomplishes His desire, as Word and Sacrament are being
administered.
forgiveness
life
salvation
healing
growing
in grace
fruit
of the Spirit
Where’s Jesus in all this?
mighty
one of God
speaks
peace and salvation to us
gives
us a kingdom that will never pass away, gates of hell cannot prevail
appoints
us to work as well-trained servants of the Word
has
us pass on the gifts God has given to future generations
1) Fearful about your calling in
life? Feel like a failure? Jesus has called you and does not leave
you alone. Remember the thousands he appointed to be faithful in
Elijah’s time.
2) Wonder about your hope for the
future? Jesus builds his Church and it will prevail. Persevere
without fear!
3) Wonder if you are one of the
Lord’s opponents? Trust that Jesus has come to suffer and die for
that state of opposition. Trust that He died for you. Know that he
gives you forgiveness and places you in just the right place to serve
him in his kingdom.
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