THE LORD IS NOT IN IT!

1 Kings 19:11-13 TLB

"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain; it was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. [12] And after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. [13] When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his scarf and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, "Why are you here, Elijah?"

 

We often do many things that we believe are of the Lord, but in reality, the Lord may not be in them. Even in ministry, we may one day discover that our efforts were not truly led by God. It is possible to walk in faith and follow scriptural ordinances yet still be in error.

Many Christians and ministers today repeat the mistake Elijah made: we protest our own faithfulness and denounce the people of God, the land, and the church, just as Elijah did with Israel. Elijah claimed he was the only one left who remained true to the Lord. God then commanded him to stand on the mountain, but Elijah did not fully obey. We see this in 1 Kings 19:13, where he stood at the entrance of the cave instead.

In quick succession, the mountain was shaken by a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire. These violent events must have reminded Elijah of his own harsh and disapproving spirit. Yet, none of these drew him out of the cave. Finally, after the fire, Elijah heard a still, small voice—the gentle and gracious voice of the Lord—which brought him to the entrance of the cave. Even then, Elijah repeated his complaint, exalting himself as God’s only faithful servant.

How about us? Are we drawn to places where the sound is impressive, the lights are bright, and the message is pleasing to the ear but deadly to the soul? Are we chasing after men and women of God who look the part and seem successful by worldly standards?

We may appear successful, wealthy, and prosperous to others, but to the Lord, we may be like those described in Matthew 23:27—whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but are full of dead bones inside. This was the spiritual condition of the scribes and Pharisees, and sadly, it describes many believers today. Outwardly, they seemed holy and clean, but inwardly, they were spiritually dead.

If Elijah’s heart had not been occupied with self, he would have realized that tempests, earthquakes, and fires cannot accomplish what the gentle voice of love can. He should have recognized that his own heart was no different from the nations, and that as coercion failed to move him from the cave, so it also fails to move people from their sins.

Today, we run from conference to conference, retreat to retreat, events that often glorify the organizers and ministers, with everything looking good and well-planned, but the Lord is not in it. We leave such places feeling empty, still searching for something to stir us, because, unfortunately, God was not present.

We hear preaching that does nothing for our spiritual growth or the recharging of our souls, because, again, God is not in those messages.

God is not usually found in the big, extravagant, or elaborate things, as He showed us in Elijah’s story and in the humble birth of our Savior, Jesus in Luke 2:10-13).

Sadly, the church today can sometimes resemble a movie set, waiting for the cue— “lights, camera, action”—and then performing as planned, without consulting the Lord, waiting for His direction, or following His instructions. The Lord is not in it!

Everyone may be watching, admiring, and applauding, but God is not in it.

We must be careful, vigilant, and discerning about where we go, whom we connect with, listen to, and follow. The Lord may not be in everything that looks good or successful.

PRAYER: Lord God, help me always to remember that You are not in the business of unnecessary showmanship, but of making a true impact. Help me to recognize where You are and what You are doing, so I do not get lost in the glamour of things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/womenoflight/episodes/THE-LORD-IS-NOT-IN-IT-e33nubq

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SHALOM.

 

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