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Sunday, February 2, 2014

In the cave, part 2


Part 2
God sent angels to minister to Elijah. 
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers." 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 he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you." 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?" He said, "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." (1 Kings 19:4-7, 9, 10 NASB)

It is frustrating to be about the Lord's business and feel like it is in vain; to feel like everything you are doing and saying to represent God is being ignored by stiff necked, defiant people. 
I am sure that Noah felt that way, and the Moses and the prophets and yes, even Jesus. And in this world I see so many good, God loving, God serving men and women feel defeated in the same way. 
People would rather be dazzled and enthralled  by falsehoods and mockery. Oh, yeah, it looks real and sounds real, but remember even Satan used scripture when trying to tempt Jesus.
So I understand Elijah. I feel his discouragement, I feel his fear. He was hated, despised and hunted for his work for God. Could you endure any of it? So he ran. He hid, in a cave. He felt alone and frightened and wanted to die. 
I have been in that cave. It is dark, it is lonely. It is cold. 
But God can find you anywhere. And I like this verse from Psalm 139:12 that is talking about God and praising Him and it says, "Even the darkness is not dark to You."
Yes, that's right, God will find you in the dark and it won't be dark for He is light.
He will bring you out and send ministers to you, people who can comfort, hold you, encourage, strengthen you and build you back up. I have them God sent them to me. It might have been you. And maybe at one time I ministered to you. We are all ministers.

Notice above in the scripture, Elijah got up and was nourished, but then he lay down again. There is a huge lesson here, don't miss it.
 A. Elijah, although strengthened was not yet ready.  
 B. The angel(up lifter, encourager, one who brings strength) did not give up on Elijah after one visit. 
Are you Elijah today? Or are you the angel? What will you do? How will you respond?


Meditate on this today. I have more, I will post in the following days. Just know this. Sometimes it is in the cave where God will find us and rebuild us.

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