Post Sunday April 26 2009

1 Kings 19:15 “Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus…”
“But God…” Have you ever said that before? Something is going on in your life that we are not pleased with (that is the nice way of putting it) and we know what we’ve been taught, we know what God has had to say about it and it just so happens to be opposite of the way we feel, so we begin talking to God with…..but God…..

I know I do it. Attempt to explain to God some details about my life that He apparently is unaware of, because if He was aware of it He would certainly be taking care of it. As we read the past couple of weeks, God asks the question to Elijah, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” So it clearly is open for discussion. And I agree, we should tell God our “but God” feelings. But God, you don’t understand how difficult my relationship with so and so is right now and you do know how painful this issue is for me in my life right now God? And you can fill in your own “but God” statement. So Elijah answers God’s question:

1 Kings 19:14 “And he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life."
Elijah voices to God his heart. He wants God to know that he has passionately pursued him, that he is doing what he has been asked and then he points out to God that he is left all alone and wanted to make sure God knew that King Ahab and Jezebel wanted him dead. That’s why I’m here God, I’m doing what you wanted and this is where it got me, thanks a lot.

I love the fact that God truly wants to hear our answers, even our “but God” answers. He really does and He gives us every opportunity to speak with Him, whenever we want. God really wants to hear you speak, please know that.

I also love the fact that God responds. Read God’s answer slowly and think about it for a minute from your “but God” emotional mindset.

1 Kings 19:15-18 “Then the LORD said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
I love the fact that God continues to treat Elijah like a man and not some little whiny child. He says go return, when Elijah took off running he went south, but God says go return to the Wilderness of Damascus, which is back north, which is right back toward those trying to kill him, which is right back into the eye of the storm. God doesn’t just say, you wimp, great you’re worthless, but rather, I trust you to go back into the difficulty and the fight. He is not going to rescue Elijah in a nice safe place, but rather God is going to rescue Him in a place that Elijah obviously did not think possible (otherwise he wouldn’t have run…)

Then God gives him a series of commands about anointing people. Anointing people simply meant that they were chosen or being set apart for some specific task or position, in other words chosen by Elijah, the man of God, thus chosen by God Himself for a purpose. So Hazael, Jehu and Elisha (Elijah’s future replacement) were all chosen. What for? To take care of business for Elijah, to round up and take care of (kill) those that were coming after Elijah. Then God throws in at the end for a word of encouragement, oh by the way, you’re not alone, there are still 7,000 that I have set aside that have still not wavered and switched sides, you were just unaware of them. You are never alone, you just might be missing the 7,000 that God has placed around you.

All this time, Elijah was scared and saying “but God” and all this time, God had a plan fully in place. He was just waiting for Elijah to come and talk with Him.

I personally can’t tell you how many times, I’ve said, “but God” and when I finally said it and then listened, I found that God already had a plan worked out. I just needed to spend time with Him so I could hear His instructions and then go carry it out.

Part of our ability to hear that still small voice, is learning to communicate with God. Sometimes it is as simple as James put it in 4:2, you do not have because you do not ask. Little did Elijah know that the whole time he had a “but God” God already had a “but Elijah.”

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Is there still a “but God” in your heart? If so take the time to share it with Him, He wants to hear it.

pastor e