Putting God in a Box - Part 4

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

14 Oct 2007 04:16 PM

Over a few days we've looked at some people who had distorted views of God. They did not see the all powerful God of the Bible but tried to put human restrictions and limitations on God. So often we can do that too. We can expect God to do the big, miraculous things and fail to see him in the everyday, little things of life.

Elijah had seen a decisive demonstration of God's power and might at Mt Carmel, I Kings 18. Mt Carmel was a victory for Isaiah's God against the so called gods of Baal as Israel acknowledged their God. God sent fire from heaven and then showed his power over nature by breaking the three and a half year drought and sending rain, 1 Kings 18:45.

Elijah had been privileged to be a part of this mighty demonstration and yet, a short time later, Elijah seems to forget about the real conquering power of God and flees in the face of a threat from Queen Jezebel, I Kings 19: 2-3. Elijah flees to the wilderness. It's all become too much for him. He's had enough of being God's servant, verse 4. But God is not content to let it go at that.

Often, like Elijah, we want God to do big, spectacular things like He did at Mt Carmel. What God is interested in is getting though to you and me just as He did to Elijah.

Elijah comes to a cave at Horeb. There God speaks to him. 'What are you doing here Elijah?' I Kings 19:9. Elijah is right in the middle of a self pity party at this stage. Poor me, I've done everything for God. I'm the only one till following God ways. And now my life is being threatened. Elijah had had enough. Have you ever felt like this? I know I have.

What did Elijah expect God to do? Did he expect God to do something miraculous- another big sign like that at Mt. Carmel perhaps? Or maybe Elijah just wanted to take things easy and not to have to constantly be vigilant for Jezebel and her threats- for God to just let him give up the struggle. Maybe Elijah thought he'd done enough for God.

But God was not finished with Elijah. God had more to reveal of Himself to Elijah. God told Elijah to stand on the mountain as 'the Lord was passing by,' I Kings 19:11. God was not in the strong wind that rent the mountain, not in the earthquake or fire that followed, but spoke in a gentle voice. Too often we want God to act in big and spectacular ways when what God is interested in, is getting through to us. God needs our silence, to speak to us. We need to shut out the world and its noise, so we can hear God's voice.

Are you trying to put God in a box? Are you constantly looking for God to work spectacular signs and wonders? Or are you reading His Word, meeting with Him in prayer and using the quiet time to listen to Him? God spoke to Elijah in the stillness and told him what to do next. It's where He will speak to us too and tell us what to do.

God still had work for Elijah to do. God also assured him he was not alone in following God. There were 7000 others. God answered Elijah's need for companionship, providing Elisha who would take over as God's prophet when the time was right. God know our needs too and will respond to us if we are only quiet long enough to listen to Him and then act on what God reveals. Just be prepared for God to do the unexpected in His dealings with us.

Bible references taken from The New American Standard version.

Please visit these related blogs

Putting God in a Box

Putting God in a Box - Part 2

Putting God in a Box - Part 3

Learn more about Dale Harcombe

Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger