Skip to main content

We're Wrong


 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So to, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it annot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. (Romans 11:1-6)
          Do you ever feel like you’re alone, like you’re the only one who gets it, the only one who cares? I do. Even as I think it, I know it’s a lie, but the pity party has been cued. Elijah felt that way. You probably know the story. Elijah challenged the priests of Baal to a “My God’s Bigger Than Your God” contest. It seems as if all Israel was in the stands. The priests of Baal give it their best shot…nothing. Elijah handicaps his side by pouring lots of water over the sacrifice, the wood, the ground… and offers a simple prayer. Fire falls and consumes everything he’d drenched. The people begin their chant, “The Lord, He is God…The Lord, He is God.” Four hundred priests of Baal are executed.
         One woman said, “I’m going to kill you for that.” Granted, she was the queen, but that was all it took. Elijah ran for the hills. He hid in the mountains, complaining to God that he was all alone and asking God to kill him. It wasn’t just that he wanted to die – if that had been the case, he could have surrendered to Jezebel. He wanted to die before she could kill him. Elijah went from “My God’s Bigger Than Your God” to “Kill me before she does,” and from Israel chanting “The Lord, He Is God” to Elijah chanting, “I’m all alone” in days.
         God’s answer to Elijah was rest, refreshment, and reassurance. The reassurance came in two parts. First, God showed Elijah that He’s still God. After that, He told Elijah that his perception was off. Elijah wasn’t alone. God had a remnant. God always has a remnant. He saved a remnant from the flood. He saved a remnant from Sodom and Gomorrah. He kept remnants all along the way. Though some people love to proclaim that the Church is full of sin and hypocrisy, God has a remnant. When we feel as if we’re alone, we may need rest and refreshment, but we also need reassurance that we're wrong.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more