1 KINGS 19:1-21
WHO WAS CHASING ELIJAH? GOD OR JEZEBEL? Good question, because Jezebel threatened to kill him just like he did her prophets. But God heard him say, "I'm no better off than my father." "UNDER THE JUNIPER TREE" where Elijah lay pouting, saying that God might as well kill him. Instead, an angel cooked him dinner ...twice! Apparently it was good food because he went on the strength of that one meal for 40 days, traveling 200 miles to Horeb! Next, he hid "IN A CAVE" where God asked him, "What are you doing in there?"
OH, POOR ME! I love Elijah's answer because I've said stuff just like it! "I stood up for God against some really bad people, people who kill prophets. And now I'm the only Christian left, and they want to kill me! (V.18 - WHERE was this remnant when Elijah needed them?)
EARTHQUAKE, WIND OR FIRE: God wasn't in any of those - but came in "a still, small voice." This was a rebuke to Elijah's histrionics. ELISHA: Kiss Momma and Dad "goodbye", and come on! He was ALREADY busy being a farmer when he was called! He "sold all he had and gave the money to the poor" - cooked his oxen over a fire made with his farm implements. (unlike the "rich young ruler")
RESPONSE: After a great victory, Elijah was vulnerable to Jezebel's threats. Maybe if he weren't so tired, so hungry, and so emotionally spent, he wouldn't have reacted the same way. It is a good idea to not allow yourself to get into that condition - but sometimes it can't be helped. Don't make any decisions when you are overtired, hungry, or emotionally drained! It is too easy to fall prey to self-pity or depression. All this kind of depression really is is UNBELIEF. And we need to just pull to the side when this happens, slow down and sleep on it. If you are already IN IT, then come out of the darkness of the cave first. Shine some "Jesus-Truth" on yourself - talk to your heart until it calms down (tell it about the goodness and greatness of God.). Listen to GOD's "still, small voice". Eat and sleep, then repent of your unbelief. Then go to work again! THAT'S WHAT I DO!!!
ACTS 12:1-23
HEROD: Cruel, cunning, adulterous Herod, and under the influence of an evil woman, killed (beheaded with a sword) James, the brother of the apostle John (about 12 years after the crucifixion of Jesus). That made James the first of the 12 to be martyred. In vexing (harassing) the church, he captured PETER. His intention was "store him" in the prison and then deal with him after the Passover.
BUT......"prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." Peter slept, chained between two soldiers, with 14 more guarding the door. How could he sleep, knowing he would be executed the next day? He must have been in the "inner" prison, deep inside, because the Angel that "busted him out of jail" led him out past three guard posts.
DON'T MESS WITH GOD: Herod "was highly displeased" at these events. I'll bet! He executed all 16 soldiers who had been guarding Peter. Herod left town, went to his palace in Caesarea and when he gave a speech, the people flattered him and said he was like a god! He believed it. So God smote him down, he lingered sick for 2-3 days, died and was eaten by worms.
WHEN THE CHURCH PRAYS: Why was James killed and Peter delivered? Could it be because of the prayer made by the Church? "You have not because you ask not." (James 4:2). When they realized that James had been put to death, and that this vicious attack of the enemy could be successful, the church suddenly realized that they had a part to play in God's program. Was God setting a precedent right at the beginning? When the church prayed: (1) Judgment or action was delayed and Peter was held in prison rather than executed right away. Prayer changed the time schedule. (2) Peter slept because he was at peace. Was that the effect of prayer being made for him?
RESPONSE: If I am ever in that much trouble, I hope the Church prays for me! Peter was really surprised when that Angel showed up! In fact, he thought he was dreaming until he saw the outside of the prison doors! And it reads like the Angel just touched the chains and they fell off. I wonder if the Angel was having fun. One man was executed. One man was delivered. One man was eaten by worms. PRAYER is what made the difference.
PSALM 136:1-36
"In Praise of God's Mercy": Every verse is "stuck" on that note. Mercy is the full, free flow of God's affection and goodness toward us. It is a word that describes a mother's milk letting down when her baby cries - so strong is her connection to the babe. Here we see that MERCY involves ACTIONS by God. We praise Him for HIS CHARACTER, HIS CREATION and HIS CONSISTENCY. This is a Psalm that will reassure my heart that it is good, and right, and safe to trust God.
PROVERBS 17:14-15
When a dam gets a crack in in, at first a few drops ooze out, but after a time the whole mass of water pours through with fury, and it is nearly impossible to limit the destruction it causes. An argument can heat up that fast - so "drop out" quickly, or just don't let it start in the first place. RESPONSE: When two friends or a married couple fight, NO ONE WINS unless you BOTH "win". So, you either both win, or else you both lose. No exceptions. The first one to apologize is actually the "winner"!
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