1 Kings 19
Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 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.” 3 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.
4 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.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 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. 7 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.” 8 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.
9 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?” 10 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.” 11 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. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 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?” 14 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.” 15 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. 16 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. 17 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. 18 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.”
19 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. 20 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?” 21 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.
When we read the Scriptures, we find our own emotions we experience. The Lord is heard and this Chapter is paired many times with Jesus saying:
John 6:32-35
32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."
What do we thirst for? The small voice within us that propels us to faith in the Lord.
Even when you go to the front of the neighborhood to clean up. Hurricane Beryl left, leaving all kinds of limbs and leaves all over the front. Parking your car. Having those driving past going carefully past your car, but not a wave. Then having the next car watching you carry huge limbs to the woods and just watching. Picking up another batch and an annoyed, older and comfortable face says to you, you are blocking the path in. I replied, I'm moving the car, next, but you could go past. "No. I don't want to scratch up my wheels". I replied to this annoyed face, then get out of your car and help me pick up these branches. And the window is rolled up.
What is a win? Realizing the Chapter of 1 Kings 19 is one of the Chapters, everyone knows. A win is to overcome the days we feel useless.
When we know the Lord. And He has spoken to us.
According to the Pew Report, 2/3rds of praying people have had the Lord tell them, your prayer has been heard and only a miracle could have helped. And then, we have a quiet day. We know Jesus loved to go to quiet and even desolate places to pray. Yet, we have experiences we relive and wonder what happened and how the outcome could have been better.
And think upon the bread and thirst. 1 Kings 19 is our thirst in times of endurance and even fear and despair.
What would Jesus say to Elijah? If we could physically see him talking to the older Elijah? Jesus might see the younger Elijah, rising up in hope and faith.
John 6
36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.
37 All that the Father gives me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from Heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me. 39 And this is the Will of Him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that He has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the Will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day.”
When we all examine why we have times in our lives with conflict and, then, in helping, are put down, we have to examine the times. People are tired and impatient. Their hopes and longings do not feel fulfilled. To drive through the neighborhoods is to see quiet lives. This has been a few years of vast prioritizing and sorting, no one wanted to do. In putting someone down, or in the control issues we see today, they are attempting to feel as if their lives matter. Insulting mouths have lives, existing at the top of the food chain, are important. Most of the insults are placement insults. Because... they feel unhappy they are not significant enough to holler enough insults to everyone and feel smug. It is a test of control. The opposite of love.
Patience and honesty will begin to win. The 10 Laws of God are intended to create harmony.
These control issues of top dog have splintered our culture. We should watch what we watch, our entertainment, as being wholesome. Of the Lord. True. Merciful. Loving.
How do we know
1/3 of the United States is within the substance abuse category. Before the Pandemic, ten percent of the United States had food insecurity. And now, in the last years, it is 16% have food insecurity when Google searching. 1/3 of the United States have no contact between parents and older children. Gift shops have all but disappeared. And weddings are small. College costs do not compare with Canada and Europe in the range from 5 thousand dollars for a year of education to the United States costs of $50,000 per year. Many people have 2 jobs. 282 million people in 59 countries live in hunger. If everyone in the United States would $11 to $30 sponsor a family, the world would know less hunger.
What should we do with hearts turned away from love?
Speak up. Speak firmly. Speak the kindness of building up one another. Value ourselves as Children of God. Elijah has help from the Lord. Have faith. Continue with the good works that God has put in front of us. Do all the Good before us. The most important component of all. Prayer with the Lord. He loves us and listens to our prayers. We can view the opening of the Olympics with despondency. Or we can see, how many wanted more. Wanted the Lord to be Held High in Honor. Many, many, many Love the Lord.
And in the United States, what is the largest voting majority?
Not class. Not monetary. Not color. Nor ancestry. Doesn't have a job. Doesn't pay your bills
Won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills. Won't fix your life in five easy steps. Ain't the law of the land or the government. But it's all you need. Jesus Christ. And love will hold us together, make us a shelter to weather the storm. And I'll be my brother's keeper. So the whole world will know that we're not alone.
And in the United States, what is the largest voting majority?
Christians. Not by class. Not monetary. Not color. Nor ancestry.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who Love the Lord. And call upon Him with Faith.
We are responsible, bringing our culture forth for generations unborn. We are responsible, doing all the good set before us by The Lord to do. We are responsible, by loving invitation, to pray unceasingly. A man I know was responsible for the traffic leaving his large and successful Church. I don't attend there, but do know one of the ministers. We saved a cow who had recently given birth, by finding the owner and vet, together. And our friend in the parking lot found sheer bloody mindedness in families and in others leaving the parking lot. And wanted to know WHY? It's difficult to find out that your life isn't as golden as you aspire for the Love to shine. Hang in there and Love the Lord.
Abba, Father,
Dwell in us, please, Father.
Dwell in those we Love.
Help us to seek You first.
In Jesus Christ, we will finish well.
To see
to bring
to be
more daily
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
on earth
as in Heaven
In Jesus Christ is
Our Love, Joy and Hope.
Bless those working for
Post Pandemic Healing
and Care.
Bless us all, worldwide
with Healing
Safety
Prosperity and
Peace.
We ask healing
of Your Good Creation
The fullness of the earth is Yours.
The healing of those we pray for
in our heart and soul.
The safety of Your people.
Let evil and practicing evil
depart far from us
and our children.
The safety of Your people.
The Healing
of the Nation.
Wholeness
Holy.
Goodness.
Thank You for Jesus.
To You, our Father, be the Glory
Our God is an Awesome God!
Amen and Alleluia
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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