When God Shows Up In a Dark Place
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· 195 viewsSometimes in our darkest moments of turmoil, God shows up in an unprecendented way.
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Situation
Situation
Discouragement, defeat, distress, domination, dreadfulness, dreariness, despair, damaged, danger, debauchery, dejection, deficient, delirious, deplorable, denied, despondent, dilapidated, discontent, disdain, disturbed, and most of discouraged. I imagine if we had to sum up the emotions that the prophet Elijah was feeling during this time in , imagine we could use these words.
Have you ever felt alone? This abnormal feeling for being emotionally absent can cause us to agonize greatly. The aghast nature of depression, discouragement and discontent can cause us to think irrationally, behave in an absurd way.
Or have you ever asked yourself the question in the midst of a trial, “What am I doing here” or maybe “how did I get here”. These are logical questions we ask ourselves during times of despair.
Here we have the prophet Elijah, who in the previous chapter is helpful in bringing rain back to the land. Just for Ahab to betray the good works of Elijah so that he is portrayed as a trouble maker.
It is one thing to go through a tough time but it is another to face that time alone. Not only facing that time alone but facing that time at the expense of facing trial as a result of helping someone that you really did not want to help in the first place.
It’s quite ironic that Elijah would prescribe the same warning in the same place in the same manner as Moses. Be mindful that a good example does not mean discouragement will not ensue. Nonetheless a good example can be the determining factor to a profitable outcome.
Complication
Complication
Facing your fear is complicated. Starting death in the face was more than just an everyday experience. It was a bitter experience. Understand that our bitter experiences lead to our destiny.
Many times our first response to discouragement is to hide. Especially when we feel alone. Praise God that he can show up in the darkest of caves.
“Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, what are you doing here, Elijah?”
“Lodged there” he stopped at this cave to get through the night. Many times many of us have no intention of staying in our dark places for ever but it happens.
We all have had those Lord let me get through tonight moments, its those nights that seem the darkest and the longest.
This is complicated because like God, God will provide for us in the midst of our discouragement but our faith is still shaken.
Verse 5 - He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, Arise, eat. Then we see in verse seven, Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.
Elijah, is depressed, dehydrated, hungry, and in fear for his life. Even in your darkest moments God can sustain you for the journey ahead of you. “So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mountain of God.
Here’s the issue, God did not call you to the mountain to hide in a cave.
Hiding in cave meant no human interactions. Elijah’s calling demanded human interaction he’s a prophet.
Caves are dark, damp, musty places. Absent from light and life. It is quite ironic that many times the discouraged dwell in a place that matches their discouragement.
He asks Elijah what are you doing here? Elijah responds I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
When we are in dark places instead of us taking responsibility for where we are, we start giving God excuses of why we are where we are.
God did not ask about the apostasy of the Israelites.
God did not ask about the false prophets.
When God calls you to a certain place and you aren’t there he needs to know why.
God ask him this question because Elijah has faith to hide, faith to run but no faith to live out loud for God?
The same God that is protecting you in the cave is the same God that can protect you from Jezebel.
The same God that you thanked for the new job is the same God that is in the unemployment line.
The same God that was in the room when your child was delivered, is the same God in the doctors office when you got diagnosed with cancer.
The same God that was there when you said I DO, jumped the broom and danced to Luther Vandross is the same God that is there when you don’t even want to look at each other.
God is amazing because often times he is able to ask the questions you should ask yourself.
God did not ask Elijah about anyone but himself.
Elijah what are you doing here.
Do not concern yourself about apostate Israelites, Ahab or Jezebel, I’ll handle that.
Stop worrying about who is dead, I need you to be courageous. You are alive for a reason. And sometimes God will allow your enemies to stick around just to showcase his power.
But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim my name through all the earth.
Application
Application
In the dark places you have been in what are you doing there? When we get to a place to understand that God is not in the business of private exaltation we will truly understand what he means by preparing a table in the presence of thine enemies.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
There is no need to hide in the caves of life when God has called you to a mountain top ministry. Sometimes God has to show up in the cave to show you his power at the top of the mountain.
Celebration
Celebration
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.
• Do not be discouraged because just when you feel alone and believe it is all over, the Lord is passing by.
• When you feel alone and you believe no one is there to help the Lord is passing by.
• The winds of your storm might be strong enough to knock you over but just know that the Lord is passing by.
• Your world might be shook up like an earthquake, Elijah’s world was so shaken up, prophets were being executed, and Elijah felt alone but the Lord was passing by.
• Everything around you might be in flames, everything you’ve worked hard for might seem to be crumbling right before your eyes but the Lord is passing by.
• Oh, but thank God for the peace that passes all understanding! Do not be discouraged, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith? Then he rose and rebuked the winds and sea and there was a great calm”.
• The calmness of God comes at the right time, there is no need to run, there is no need to be afraid, there is no need to be discouraged, the gentle whisper is coming (v, 12).
In conclusion, God will allow you to return to those who discouraged you and prepare a table of power in their presence. He left discouraged but returned encouraged to appoint the people of God.
He left being hunted to death but he returned to see the power of God put the people to death that wanted to kill him!
Be calm and stand at the mountain top because your gentle whisper is coming!