Charis Corner:
Stories of Grace in a Broken World
By Kari Mahara
Elijah is one of those characters from the
Bible I greatly admire. His faith in God and obedience is something I strive
for in my own life. I recently taught in Sunday School (and read in my 5-5-5)
about Elijah’s faceoff with the priests of Baal—how Elijah taunted these
priests when Baal couldn’t rain down fire from Heaven, but when Elijah prayed,
God rained down fire that burned the offering, altar, and even the ditch that
had been drenched in water. The people chanted, “The Lord, He is God.” It gave
me goosebumps.
But then, Queen Jezebel threatens Elijah,
and this is what he does:
1 Kings 19:3-9: “Elijah was afraid[a] and
ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant
there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a
broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough,
Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay
down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said,
“Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked
over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The
angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and
eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank.
Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he
reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the
night.
What follows is the story of God passing by
Elijah, a still small voice.
There is so much in these stories that ring
true today. How often after we see God move do we let fear take hold? Fear is
something I’ve struggled with since I was a child, and now it manifests itself
in anxiety, worry, and need to control. I can look back over the past year and
a half and see God’s fingerprint on my life. I can see how God provided for us
when there was no money and how he continues to bless us on one income. But
that fear cripples me just like Elijah.
But what really grips me about this story
is God’s reaction. Does He look at Elijah in disappointment? Does He reprimand
him? No. He sends an angel to feed Elijah. God says, “The journey is too much
for you.” When you are faithful in following Him, when you love Him with all
that you are, but you still struggle, remember this story. God isn’t standing
over you, chastising you for your lack of strength or faith or courage. He’s
drawing you in His arms, caring for you.
And what comes next is rare and incredible.
1 Kings 19:11-12: “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the
presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and
powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord,
but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but
the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the
Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” That
gentle whisper is with you every moment through whatever you face.
*******************************************************************************
Now, head on over to The Writing Mom and see what impact this lesson had on my life this week.
