Hills + Valleys

1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 1 Kings 19:1-4

Elijah was running scared. It didn’t matter that God had consumed the stones and bones of the offering and altar. It didn’t matter that 450 prophets of Ba’al had just been put to the sword. And, lest it be forgotten, the drought was over: rain had finally come. And Elijah had been involved in it all. Yet Jezebel, who’d fed the 450 killed prophets as well as the 400 prophets of Asherah, said she’d kill Elijah for what he’d done. This feeder of these 850 prophets during severe drought wanted Elijah dead. Never mind she couldn’t rescue the Ba’al “boogie men,” but Elijah felt like she could kill him. Elijah had gone from a mountain top experience to a deep, dark valley with a few threatening words.

It would seem these few words moved Elijah from hearing God to hearing himself. The powerful words of God were exchanged for the powerful words inside Elijah. He made a choice to listen to them and flee. This reminds me of times when my internal narrative drove me away from God and others. These thoughts are real. If they can drive Elijah to preferring death rather than life, they can certainly affect us today. These lies that knock around in our heads are just that, and they come from the father of lies (John 8:44).

One of the wonderful benefits of reading God’s word is the investment of truth into your heart and mind. Reading the truth and thinking about it all day is one way of quieting the false narrative we seem to have going on. It renews your mind (Romans 12:2) and can literally build new pathways in your brain for living life. Prayer is another way to do the same thing. It’s amazing that we seem to think nothing of talking with family, friends and coworkers, but with God, it seems different. Yes, we’re communicating with the Creator, but a state of prayer can dispel the lies! Here’s something to try: whenever you think of prayer, pray! And it doesn’t need to be full of ‘thee’s and ‘thou’s, just talk with God. Give thanks and praise or just plain tell him you love him. I’m certain making this practice part of your everyday life will help change the lies to truth.

By Rich Obrecht 

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:41-46

Picture the scene. Up on the highest point of Mount Carmel, Elijah is bowed low to the Creator, giver and withholder of rain. The dances, the cutting, the wailing out to Baal all have ceased. God answered mightily with fire from heaven. He has shown His power and authority over His people. And they have turned to Him again, the God who sees, who hears, who answers. The culmination of Elijah’s ministry has played out – this showdown with the prophets of Baal is no doubt one he is most known for.

And now, quiet. Stillness. The air is thick. Hot. Elijah licks his dusty lips as he flattens his body before the God who heard. He will hear again. With boldness, Elijah prays and waits. He is sure there will be a cloud. Rain is coming. He can feel it. Imagine the surge of energy and victory and praise filling Elijah’s body at hearing his servant proclaim after checking the seventh time: “Behold, a little cloud…” A cloud! A cloud! That’s all we need is a cloud! The rain is coming. It’s time to receive. It’s time to rejoice in what God has done. He is here and He is in control. He cannot be controlled by dancing, by performance, by manipulation. He will not be moved by our destructive ways. There is no need for desperation to get his attention. He hears his servants and the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Can you imagine the smile spread ear to ear on Elijah as he beheld that first small cloud? Not long after, the sky grows completely dark. The wind heralding the coming drops of life. Water bringing sustenance.

Today, take time to reflect on these lyrics from “There Is A Cloud” by Elevation Worship. As you do, praise your Maker for the ways in which He has brought and will bring life-giving rain in your life through no power other than His own.

“Hear the Word, roaring as thunder. With a new future to tell. For the dry season is over. There is a cloud beginning to swell. To the skies, heavy with blessing lift your eyes, offer your heart. Jesus Christ, opened the heavens. Now we receive the Spirit of God. We receive your rain. Like a flood we receive your love.”

By Ellen Rosenberger 

And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. 1 Kings 18:29

Day after day. No rain. Week after week. Receding water. Month after month. Increased dryness. Year after year. Shriveling hope. The people of Israel were in drought. Over a period of three years their most essential resource was being extracted from them. This didn’t just feel like a season of wilderness, it initiated a reality of survival. What was going to keep them alive? Who was going to defend them? Where were they to turn for hope?

As humans, when we go through periods of dryness and when our essential resources don’t work as they once did, we choose tactics out of survival. We try coping – doing whatever makes us feel better, even if just for a moment. We try fighting – doing whatever gets us what we need, even if it puts others in danger. We try running – doing whatever keeps us safe, even if it limits our wellbeing. We all choose tactics when we need to survive, and this was happening with the people of Israel in 1 Kings 18. God’s chosen people were hiding in caves (1 Kings 18:4), some were killing one another (1 Kings 18:13), while others were seeking out new sources to make them feel just a little bit better about life in the drought. But, on Mount Carmel, their tactics were exposed.

When our human survival tactics finally face a showdown with the God of the universe, we may or may not look crazy, but we will always realize our misplaced hope. When we attempt survival on our own, we will inevitably mis-place our faith, and our tactics will leave us in despair. When we seek after new trends or new sources of satisfaction, they will begin to replace our hope in the Almighty God. But, these sources don’t love us. They will never be able to answer our cry for hope. Hope alone comes from worshipping the Kings above all other Kings. In survival, we must cling to him alone for our hope. God alone loves us and will be powerful enough to come through.

Today, affirm the God who is above all other gods and our desperate tactics. Declare your hope in Yahweh by worshiping him through the song, “Yes I Will.”

By Yvonne Biel 

27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “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.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 1 Kings 18:27-28

What does God want from humanity? It’s a question as old as time. Amongst the ancients, it was generally thought the gods were angry. The goal of “religion” – previous to Judaism and subsequently Christianity – was to appease the gods so they would leave you alone. In his thought provoking book, Destroyer of the Gods, Larry Hurtado suggests that before Judaism and Christianity, religion was seen as a set of ritual practices used to keep the gods at bay and to avoid offending them. Religious practices (altars, shrines, cultic-images) were designed to placate the deities or avoid them altogether. It would have been a foreign concept for an ancient person to worship a god out of adoration or affection. Love for God was unique to Judaism and then Christianity.

When Elijah encounters the prophets of Baal, we see this worldview clearly expressed. After Baal was silent for a time, the prophets of Baal “shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed.” (1 Kings 18:28) The common belief (custom) among the prophets of Baal was that you had to injure yourself in order to get the gods to perform the way you wanted them to. The gods are angry, they are out for blood, and if you give them blood, they’ll give you what you want. One common theme that weaves its way through the majority of cultic religions is the gods’ desire for blood. While we may not literally cut ourselves to appease the gods, many have a tendency to place themselves under ‘gods’ that lead to their destruction. Think about the ways that the ‘gods’ of money, sex, and power make demands. The way they often ruin lives, lead to regrets and leave us longing. While our methodology may have changed, the reality that the gods cause destruction remains the same.

When we come to the Scriptures, we see a different type of God. Yahweh is not a God who demands our blood, but one who sheds his own blood on our behalf. He’s a God who provides a sacrifice rather than requiring us to become one ourselves or offering up our kids as blood offering (Jeremiah 19:5). He’s a God who calls for our love and affection – jealousy longing for our adoration and relationship to him. The God of the scriptures demands our devotion precisely because he wants us to walk in life, not in the shedding of our blood. Jesus stated this clearly, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you may have life and life to the full.” (John 10:10) If your view of Yahweh is one of a blood-thirsty god who will only be satisfied with your destruction, I have great news for you… you’re wrong! The view of God as a blood-thirsty, hard to please, angry deity can be hard to shake. Luckily, we have the accounts about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as our picture of what God is truly like. After all, Jesus is the exact representation of God’s glory! (Hebrews 1:3)

Take some time today and humbly bring yourself before God. Are there ways you have been destroying yourself? They may be signs to you that you’re bowing down to a lesser god, a god who wants your destruction. Confess and receive the forgiveness that flows from Calvary’s hill.

By Ryan Paulson 

Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.  Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it.  And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 1 Kings 18:22-26 

Have you ever made a bargain with God? Perhaps something like, “If I do this then God will do that. If I promise never again to do something, God will give me what I want.” We long to be in charge and have everything go our way. When life doesn’t give us what we want, we get mad at God. Our pride ignites and we feel we should get what’s coming to us. We compare our life to others and compete for the best. Our performance is meant to bend the mind of God.    

In the Mt. Carmel contest, the prophets of Baal did hours of performing. They wanted their dancing to illicit a response from their god. A frenzy spiked when there was no answer, no change, no fire on their altar. Now look at what Elijah did: he patiently waited. He didn’t put on a performance before the crowd. He didn’t compare himself with the other prophets. He didn’t get angry at God for not doing instantly what he wanted him to do. He remained humble; his pride was not at stake. He prayed and BOOM the fire fell from the one true God of the universe. The striking message from Elijah’s example is his close walk with God. There was power in the devotion lived out through their two-way communication. God spoke, Elijah listened and obeyed. Elijah prayed, God answered.

This famous showdown on Mt Carmel also represents a battle in our own lives. Are we walking with God in devotion or performing dances to control him? The beautiful truth is we don’t need to dance. Jesus died on the cross to forgive our controlling sinful nature.  We don’t earn a relationship with God; it is received and accepted. It is free. No hoops to jump through, no dancing required. All the blessings of heaven are ours through a relationship with Christ Jesus.

In her book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Power, Ruth Haley Brown says, “God is much more aware than we are of how much we need “beyond words” togetherness. That is why he waits patiently for us to stop flailing around until we can relax and receive the nourishment of his presence.” Times of solitude are for noticing what is true about us and about God. It is about being WITH God in his presence. Make time to be WITH God today and receive what he has for you.

By Donna Burns  

After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him.  And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. And he cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?”  Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived.  And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth. 1 Kings 17:17-24

When circumstances aren’t going well, we get discouraged.  When people let us down, we’re disappointed. When our health takes a turn for the worse, we’re afraid. When we are threatened, we run. We’re tempted to take matters into our own hands and trust in ourselves. Every day we face authentic human emotions, just like the man Elijah.

Elijah had a nature like ours (James 5:17). His emotions went up and down. Some events he experienced were unbelievably amazing and others were frighteningly awful. Elijah was humbled by them. He learned. He let God have his way. He thought God provided a widow with food, but she had empty shelves. He could have found his own provisions, but he didn’t. He prayed and there was enough food for the household. They thought they had survived the drought, but then the widow’s son died. Elijah appealed to God in prayer and the boy’s life returned. He and the widow found faith and strength in God’s answers. Elijah’s actions came from what he knew about God. It gave him courage to stand firm, to have uncompromising obedience and perseverance.

What do we appeal to when we experience the hills and valleys in our life or God is silent? May we be like Elijah; he called out to God based on what he learned of God’s character in his training ground.  We, too, can have steady faith and unwavering trust call us to action. We, too, can believe in his name, wait for his word, and do what he tells us to do. God’s faithfulness to us gives us strength, courage and persistence through the ups and downs. Our faithfulness to God gives us a steady spirit to ride out the lows and highs of life. The wonder of Elijah’s life is that we can have a relationship with God Almighty just like he did. We have a human nature like Elijah, and we, in our humanness, can live utterly dependent on God as well.

Today, decide to trust God in an area of need, and wait on him. Pray continually, listen for his word, and do what he says. To help you, make a list of the “I am’s” from scripture. “I am your God, I am with you, I am…..”

By Donna Burns