Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
January 7, 2022
Read 1 Kings 19:9-18
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. The LORD’s word came to him and said, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 10 Elijah replied, “I’ve been very passionate for the LORD God of heavenly forces because the Israelites have abandoned your covenant. They have torn down your altars, and they have murdered your prophets with the sword. I’m the only one left, and now they want to take my life too!” 11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand at the mountain before the LORD. The LORD is passing by.” A very strong wind tore through the mountains and broke apart the stones before the LORD. But the LORD wasn’t in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the LORD wasn’t in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the LORD wasn’t in the fire. After the fire, there was a sound. Thin. Quiet. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat. He went out and stood at the cave’s entrance. A voice came to him and said, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I’ve been very passionate for the LORD God of heavenly forces because the Israelites have abandoned your covenant. They have torn down your altars, and they have murdered your prophets with the sword. I’m the only one left, and now they want to take my life too.” 15 The LORD said to him, “Go back through the desert to Damascus and anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Also anoint Jehu, Nimshi’s son, as king of Israel; and anoint Elisha from Abel-meholah, Shaphat’s son, to succeed you as prophet. 17 Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill. Whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 But I have preserved those who remain in Israel, totaling seven thousand—all those whose knees haven’t bowed down to Baal and whose mouths haven’t kissed him.”
Good Morning! Christ is with us always!
Sometimes we are called to struggle with God’s word. If we chose to accept the challenge, then through these struggles, we will be enlightened and blessed. It seems that this passage cycles through the Daily Devotions in the Upper Room very often. Admittedly, I prefer New Testament passages because I find the words and teachings of Christ to be more relatable to my life. So as I read this passage again, I will open myself to glean new meaning.
Today, I am going to focus on vs. 11-13. Life in the twenty-first century is busy, hectic, noisy, and full of drama. We have become so connected through technology that people’s lives are in full view of the world. Many chose to share their “dirty laundry” with anyone who is listening on a regular basis using the various forms of social media that are at most everyone’s fingertips. If someone across the world sneezes, we are instantly aware of it.
All of this “living out loud” or social sharing can be very distracting. In vs. 11-13, we read of all the events/drama that Elijah first experiences as he awaits the arrival of God: strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Then in the quietness, the voice of God is audible. Elijah was a strong believer who waded through the distractions and did not give up on hearing his God but let’s imagine, for a moment, if he had barricaded himself in the cave in fear. No, Elijah waited, and God spoke to him.
Is God calling to us to listen, but we are so distracted by all of the events/drama surrounding us that we don’t hear the call? Maybe we hear the call, but we aren’t ready to listen, or maybe we fear what others will think if we call ourselves Christians. God is calling to us: I love you. Please share your life with me. I love you.
Creator God, Thank You for loving us. We are easily distracted and lack the perseverance to sift through our hectic lives to find You. Thank You for Your continued calling. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I can have courage because God is with me.
God loves us! Pastor Liz
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