The OT is full of stories of great battles and great displays of the glory of God: just to name a few, the parting of the red sea and the battle of Jericho. I was able to study one of those great displays of the glory of God recently in I Kings 18.
Here we find the triumphant victory of God through his prophet Elijah over Jezebel's prophets to Baal. In a great display of God's power, a fire is sent down which consumes the sacrificed animal, the altar, and a large amount of water that had been poured over the altar per God's instruction given through Elijah. King Ahab was even impressed as all the people of the land said "The LORD, he is the God; the LORD he is the God" after falling flat on their faces in praise to the Lord. After that, Ahab follows Elijah's instruction as Elijah prophesies the coming of rain in the land. After this wonderful display of the power of the LORD, Ahab runs off to Jezebel and BLAMES ELIJAH in a negative sense to Jezebel for killing her prophets of Baal.
In I Kings 19, we see a scared and defeated Elijah. He runs for his life after Jezebel threatens him and becomes severely depressed. He states in v. 4 "O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." We've all been there right? Woe is me, don't you see what I've done for you God? Why do I have to run for my life and be lonely? The Lord then sends an angel to feed Elijah and commands him to Mt. Horeb.
Mt Horeb is so significant because it's where Moses met with the Lord in person and received the Ten Commandments. The Lord speaks to Elijah there and says "What doest thou here, Elijah?" What does Elijah respond? " I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy propets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away." How many times does this guy say I or my? He's not concerned about being jealous for God because His people are worshipping other gods. He's concerned about the bottom line- why He is having to deal with all this adversity after He's done such great things for God and obeyed Him in the face of complete opposition.
The Lord responds by telling Elijah to prepare himself to experience the LORD. What happens next is a great wind and then an earthquake, and then a fire! All ways the LORD has communicated to others before! But the Scripture specifically states, the LORD was not in these events. How does the LORD come? "and after the fire [came] a still small voice . . . and said What doest thou here Elijah?" and what does Elijah respond? " I have been very jealous for the Lord" but I, my, I, etc. Same song, second verse. He's not getting the picture right?
The Lord basically responds, no Elijah, you need to go back and you need to do what I tell you. And by the way, you're not the only one that is serving me- there are others in this fight, don't lose heart, you are not alone! (v. 18) The Lord allows him rest, then confronts him with his sin, then encourages, and sends him back to accomplish His will.
Maybe you're where Elijah was. I know I've been there recently. Take a rest in the Lord, allow Him to show you the error of your attitude and direction, let him fill you up, and do His will everyday.
The Lord had just won an enormous battle and allowed Elijah to be the servant to accomplish His will through this, but the Christian life is not based on huge supernatural and awesome experiences. What is our mission as Christians? Micah 6:8 "The Lord hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee; but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God." That's it. That's the secret to the successful and joyful Christian life. What counts is the everyday concern for the souls of others, the love for others like Jesus has, and the daily submission to the commands and will of God.
Will you have great supernatural experiences in God where He shows His glory like a beacon in the night? Absolutely! But if you're living from awesome experience to awesome experience you're missing out on the substance of true joy. The greatest victories in Christian life are when God shows you a special lesson in your study, or gives you a special encouraging friend, or blesses you with a refund on a bill so you can make ends meet that month. The LORD is present and ever-working, but maybe you're missing Him because you forgot the basics. Rest in Him and obey Him and I promise your joy will be full! Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD everyday!
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