"Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” And they cried aloud and wcut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of xthe offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention." [1 Kings 18:27-29]
Are we more like these prophets or like Elijah?
It does sometimes seem that we continually try to get God to act. We have go to more meetings & events, work harder in programs & works at church, plod on with dry devotional plans and continue whatever our customs (traditions) may be. Yet nothing, or not much happens.
Revival fire doesn't fall; we feel spiritually dry; our family doesn't grow in fellowship & obedience to Christ; meetings are not lively with the presence & work of God and we don't see the hearts of others turned towards God.
Yet we limp on.
Elijah on the other hand does something a bit, well actual a lot different and for all intensive purposes everyone looking on would say "that'll never work" as water gets poured over the alter. Then a simple prayer and 'wooosh' fire falls, consumes the sacrifice, wood, water & very stones of the alter.
Maybe we ought to trust Christ more instead of our methods, traditions, plans, service, meetings and efforts. Perhaps a rethinking - a cannibalising of our alter and a simple prayer of child-like faith would have us consumed by the Spirit of God . . . or is that what we're afraid of?
[Further Thought] Elijah was about the glory of God & repentant human hearts. Why are we doing what we are doing? Why are we asking for what we are asking?
I heard J.D. Grear mention this thought and it's rattled in my mind until i started sharing it - this post is one way of sharing - if i've spoken to you today you prob heard it.
