Good Morning Friends,
Today we have another example of the power that comes out of events that seem small. The death of a single man 2000 years ago and the sighting of a puff of a cloud on the horizon for those facing famine. Both would become signs of hope. But it depends on one’s perspective if we will see clearly. It can be problematic picking scripture out of context and combining them. Sure, there are themes that hold it together, but really it is the long journey of a thousand repeated small steps in the same direction that often make the impact. We must have a sense of history to weather the storm on the journey. For we can be overcome with a thousand little sins that grind our spirit and soul away when we fail to change. That is why we must commit to answer in the affirmative today’s question. Are We Going To Stay In The Game?
Scripture: Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of rushing rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; there he bowed himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees. He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” He went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” Then he said, “Go again seven times.” At the seventh time he said, “Look, a little cloud no bigger than a person’s hand is rising out of the sea.” Then he said, “Go say to Ahab, ‘Harness your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'” In a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind; there was a heavy rain. Ahab rode off and went to Jezreel. But the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; he girded up his loins and ran in front of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
1 Kings 18:41-46 (NRSV)
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:20-26 (NRSV)
And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.
1 Corinthians 6:14 (NRSV)
Message: Even if we are playing the right game, and so often we do not, we still get tired or frustrated by results unseen. We may want to throw in the towel. But with each day God’s creation is born anew and we have new hope. Some days are easier than others. Some are harder. And for Christians we might even be persecuted. We see a bit of that challenge in today’s text about a drought in Israel during the time of an evil king, but still there is a bit of hope and a lesson here in how to weather the events of human history…of holy history. Indeed, we might just see how a butterfly flapping its wings can set into motion the start a hurricane if God so desires. We live in a time of possible global stagnation in a world where the church is dying in many places.
For God’s power cannot be denied, nor His mission frustrated. The thing is that the irresistible force here is the power of the resurrection, and it is not just an event of the past but of all time that permeates everything.
And So, in situations where all seems dead, the resurrection’s power changes everything. When things seem doomed, it is the power of the resurrection that transforms a drought into a downpour. And the beauty friends, is that all who evangelize become instruments of this very same power in the stream of Holy History. There is no lack in Jesus. The resurrection is already woven into the fabric of life as a witness that our hope is not in vain. Stay in the game. Never give up.
Pray we persevere. Pray our souls not be parched. Pray we realize that even amid darkness, life will find a way to reemerge and spread. Pray we believe in the power of the resurrection. Pray we believe, no matter how mysterious it is, that God is capable of intervening and bringing good out of evil by the power of his infinite creativity. Pray we believe in signs of hope no matter how small they may be. Pray God’s love permeate us just as the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit infuses and invades all history. Pray we stay in the game until it is won. Pray our hearts not tire of the struggle. Pray we not be caught up in ourselves or our careers with a thirst for recognition, rewards, and status. Pray we live to the glory of God in a Kingdom that never ends.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 