“Where are You?” (Part III)
31/08/08 22:02
In parts I & II of
this Pastor’s Desk, we discussed how God
continually searches out mankind and questions their
whereabouts. He does this so that man can have the
opportunity to take an honest assessment of his life
situation. In other words, is he abiding in God or is
he going his own way? Is he full of joy or is he
being oppressed by the world, sin and the devil? Is
he wandering aimlessly through his life or is he on
the path of Life?
If he knows that he shouldn’t be where he is at, he may not respond to God’s inquiry with enthusiasm. But if he is abiding in the secret place of the Most High, if he is sheltered under God’s shadow, his cry comes with great excitement and anticipation.
It is one thing to be in prayer and to be talking to God. It is quite another to have God talk to you! (Grant it, I believe that God would talk to us more, if only we would take the time to listen. ) Isn’t it funny though, how the world thinks that when a man talks to God, he is religious. But when God talks to the man, they deem him crazy.
Well, in the end, God will show who the crazies are. I think that if a man has opportunity to escape eternal damnation and willfully refuses – he’s crazy. When we have Divine Help to get through this tough life and try to accomplish it on our own –we’re crazy. When God is asking our whereabouts and we hide amongst the fig leaves of this world, we are definitely the crazy ones. Never concern yourselves over foolish worldly opinions; it is God’s that you should be concerned about.
So, why would God ask us our whereabouts while we are resting in Him? He does it to comfort us, strengthen us and to commission us. When God asked Elijah what he was doing at the mouth of the cave, Elijah told God that he was done. He was weary and besides that; he was the only one left in Israel that served God.
Here we have a scene of a servant of God who had been beaten down by the world. A man of faith, entrusted to carry the Word of God was now weary and worn. He was spiritually drained and running for his life from murderous threats. But God was showing him that He would take care of His own.
He fed Elijah in the desert for He knew that his journey would be long. He hid him away in a cave, far away from those who would seek his life. God was so gentle with Elijah that Elijah felt he could voice his complaint.
God knows that we get weary and He knows that our labor for Him is very demanding and unappreciated by the world. Throughout the Bible, men and women of God have been commissioned to tasks that seemed insurmountable. But can’t you see? This is so we would rely on Him rather than ourselves.
Why is it that we think that God may be upset with us because we are tired and spiritually worn out? He has done this before! He knows the world will not accept our message. For Pete’s sake, let God strengthen you as you rest in His Presence.
After Elijah was strengthened, God put things back into right perspective for him. As Elijah stood at the mouth of the cave, there was a great wind that passed by – but God was not in the wind. Next, there was a great earthquake and a fire, but God was not in either of them. Then, Elijah heard the gentleness of the whisper of God and fell to his knees and hid his face.
This tells me that God can do more for us with the whisper of His voice than any force here on earth ever could. I don’t need to see a sign – I need to hear the Voice of God! When God strengthened Elijah, then put things back into perspective, He was then able to commission the prophet for another job.
Folks, God knows His work isn’t easy. He knows that it takes its toll on us; this is why Paul tells us not to be weary in well doing for in due season, if we faint not, we shall receive our reward.
Listen, we will never be comforted and strengthened by God if we do not admit that the job got the best of us. Remember this, saints of God, God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love that you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.
There is one more thing you need to remember: God knows where you are!
Have a great week! Pastor Jim
If he knows that he shouldn’t be where he is at, he may not respond to God’s inquiry with enthusiasm. But if he is abiding in the secret place of the Most High, if he is sheltered under God’s shadow, his cry comes with great excitement and anticipation.
It is one thing to be in prayer and to be talking to God. It is quite another to have God talk to you! (Grant it, I believe that God would talk to us more, if only we would take the time to listen. ) Isn’t it funny though, how the world thinks that when a man talks to God, he is religious. But when God talks to the man, they deem him crazy.
Well, in the end, God will show who the crazies are. I think that if a man has opportunity to escape eternal damnation and willfully refuses – he’s crazy. When we have Divine Help to get through this tough life and try to accomplish it on our own –we’re crazy. When God is asking our whereabouts and we hide amongst the fig leaves of this world, we are definitely the crazy ones. Never concern yourselves over foolish worldly opinions; it is God’s that you should be concerned about.
So, why would God ask us our whereabouts while we are resting in Him? He does it to comfort us, strengthen us and to commission us. When God asked Elijah what he was doing at the mouth of the cave, Elijah told God that he was done. He was weary and besides that; he was the only one left in Israel that served God.
Here we have a scene of a servant of God who had been beaten down by the world. A man of faith, entrusted to carry the Word of God was now weary and worn. He was spiritually drained and running for his life from murderous threats. But God was showing him that He would take care of His own.
He fed Elijah in the desert for He knew that his journey would be long. He hid him away in a cave, far away from those who would seek his life. God was so gentle with Elijah that Elijah felt he could voice his complaint.
God knows that we get weary and He knows that our labor for Him is very demanding and unappreciated by the world. Throughout the Bible, men and women of God have been commissioned to tasks that seemed insurmountable. But can’t you see? This is so we would rely on Him rather than ourselves.
Why is it that we think that God may be upset with us because we are tired and spiritually worn out? He has done this before! He knows the world will not accept our message. For Pete’s sake, let God strengthen you as you rest in His Presence.
After Elijah was strengthened, God put things back into right perspective for him. As Elijah stood at the mouth of the cave, there was a great wind that passed by – but God was not in the wind. Next, there was a great earthquake and a fire, but God was not in either of them. Then, Elijah heard the gentleness of the whisper of God and fell to his knees and hid his face.
This tells me that God can do more for us with the whisper of His voice than any force here on earth ever could. I don’t need to see a sign – I need to hear the Voice of God! When God strengthened Elijah, then put things back into perspective, He was then able to commission the prophet for another job.
Folks, God knows His work isn’t easy. He knows that it takes its toll on us; this is why Paul tells us not to be weary in well doing for in due season, if we faint not, we shall receive our reward.
Listen, we will never be comforted and strengthened by God if we do not admit that the job got the best of us. Remember this, saints of God, God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love that you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.
There is one more thing you need to remember: God knows where you are!
Have a great week! Pastor Jim
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