NMC Audio Podcast Nappanee Missionary Church

Elijah experienced the epic mountain top victory on Mt. Carmel, defeating the prophets of Baal and revealing YAHWEH is the ultimate authority in heaven and on earth. However, immediately following this great victory, we see the great, faith-filled prophet plummet. Elijah hits an all-time low. Elijah’s story offers us perspective into how we should approach our own low valley moments.

It seems like nothing could be worse than nothingness. Seriously, what good could ever come out of being alone, being in the dark, being out of the loop, being the last one standing? How can something come out of nothing? In counterintuitive ways, God repeatedly teaches Elijah a valuable lesson—a lesson that gives him the perspective he needs to face what is in front of him.

Elijah is one of the most well-known Old Testament figures in the Bible. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Elijah shows up as the representative of all the prophets who came before. As prominent as he is, the Scriptures give us only a few snapshots of the events of his life. But one thing is for sure: Elijah knew how to pray untamed prayers. Do you?

If anyone has a reason to praise or to have a heart overwhelmed with gratitude, it is the follower of Jesus. Thank You, God, for loving us so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus, for dwelling among us, teaching us how to live, and ultimately for taking our sin and our shame to the cross. Thank You for the promise of Your Spirit and for future resurrection. We have a reason to praise. Thank You, Jesus!

It’s an (almost) impossible thing to imagine that the God of the universe is interested in people like us. And not only is He interested, but He extends an invitation to us to participate! What could we possibly offer that would please Him? The answer may surprise you, but it won’t disappoint you.

Common to each of us is the experience of comparison. And if you’ve ever disqualified yourself from something (either publicly or privately), your reasons likely stem from seeing yourself not as good as ______________. (You fill in the blank.) But we are invited to much more than the habit of personal/early disqualification. Today’s snapshot of Moses at Mount Sinai is filled with encouragement for those moments we want to back away from what is coming our way.