Fear and Faith in a Chaotic World
Fear and Faith in a Chaotic World
1 Kings 16-20
“And he was afraid and arose and fled for his life and came to Beersheba…and said, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.” (19:3-4).
Elijah was at the end of his rope. Israel had abandoned God and descended into moral and spiritual chaos. Their descent had been so great that Israel was beginning to practice human sacrifices (16:34). Politically, the nation was in turmoil as conflicting forces sought to gain dominance over the country. When Ahab and his wicked wife, Jezebel, rose to power, they promoted the worship of Baal throughout the land. In 16:30-31, we see Ahab was more sinful than all the other kings before him. During this time of moral, spiritual, and political upheaval, Elijah was called to be God’s prophetic voice to call the people back to a life of obedience to God. When Elijah arrived on Mt. Carmel, he anticipated a great victory over the prophets of Baal by demonstrating both the power of God and the fallacy of Baal. When the prophets of Baal cried out to him to bring fire from heaven to start the burnt offering, heaven was silent. Baal was proven to be powerless. However, the response was immediate and dramatic when Elijah called upon the God of Israel. Not only did fire come from heaven to consume the sacrifice, but it consumed the rocks as well. There was no question that God demonstrated his power and the ineptitude of Baal. In light of such a powerful demonstration, Elijah expected a mass revival to sweep across Israel. Instead, the people responded with a collective yawn of indifference. For Elijah, this was the final breaking point. The revival he thought would happen fell flat. Then, when Jezebel swore to kill him, Elijah fled in discouragement and defeat.
When Elijah arrived in the wilderness of southern Judah, he was in the depths of discourage. When the people rejected his attempt to lead the nation in revival, Elijah quit. He had obeyed God in denouncing Israel's sins and rebellion. He had been fearless in condemning Ahab and Jezebel for their sin and idolatry. However, now he wanted out. The spiritual condition of Israel was beyond home. He viewed his ministry as a failure and, even worse, lost hope that God could transform Israel. The only solution was for God to take him home.
As we look at the chaotic world that is descending into political turmoil and our culture is embracing post-modernism and rejecting God and the Bible, it is easy for us to become discourage and lose hope. People are indifferent, and even hostile, to Scripture and the church. To stand for the truth is to be labeled as a bigot and judgmental. Like Elijah, we are tempted to withdraw and stop sharing our faith with others. We repeat the words of Elijah that the people no longer listen to God’s Word, and there is no longer any hope of redemption.
The problem with Elijah was not his assessment of the people but his vision of God. In light of the people's idolatry, Elijah’s God had become too small. When God appeared to Elijah, God reminded him that He was still in control and that He was still advancing His purpose. What Elijah needed was a new perspective of faith in trusting in God’s sovereign plan.
The same is true for us today. Rather than retreating from the world and isolating ourselves within the church's walls, we need to reaffirm our calling to proclaim the gospel and the hope we have in Christ. The hope of our culture is not in the political leaders or a change in political parties; it is a change in our view of God. The gospel's message is just as relevant and powerful as it was in the days of Elijah and the apostles. Instead of isolating ourselves from our culture, we need to point people to our hope in Christ. When fear and discouragement overwhelm our souls because of the decline of our culture, we need a fresh reminder that God is still in control and moving in history to accomplish His purpose. Instead of fear, we can have faith in God and rededicate ourselves to be a witness for Him in a world that is looking for answers.
1 Kings 16-20
“And he was afraid and arose and fled for his life and came to Beersheba…and said, ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.” (19:3-4).
Elijah was at the end of his rope. Israel had abandoned God and descended into moral and spiritual chaos. Their descent had been so great that Israel was beginning to practice human sacrifices (16:34). Politically, the nation was in turmoil as conflicting forces sought to gain dominance over the country. When Ahab and his wicked wife, Jezebel, rose to power, they promoted the worship of Baal throughout the land. In 16:30-31, we see Ahab was more sinful than all the other kings before him. During this time of moral, spiritual, and political upheaval, Elijah was called to be God’s prophetic voice to call the people back to a life of obedience to God. When Elijah arrived on Mt. Carmel, he anticipated a great victory over the prophets of Baal by demonstrating both the power of God and the fallacy of Baal. When the prophets of Baal cried out to him to bring fire from heaven to start the burnt offering, heaven was silent. Baal was proven to be powerless. However, the response was immediate and dramatic when Elijah called upon the God of Israel. Not only did fire come from heaven to consume the sacrifice, but it consumed the rocks as well. There was no question that God demonstrated his power and the ineptitude of Baal. In light of such a powerful demonstration, Elijah expected a mass revival to sweep across Israel. Instead, the people responded with a collective yawn of indifference. For Elijah, this was the final breaking point. The revival he thought would happen fell flat. Then, when Jezebel swore to kill him, Elijah fled in discouragement and defeat.
When Elijah arrived in the wilderness of southern Judah, he was in the depths of discourage. When the people rejected his attempt to lead the nation in revival, Elijah quit. He had obeyed God in denouncing Israel's sins and rebellion. He had been fearless in condemning Ahab and Jezebel for their sin and idolatry. However, now he wanted out. The spiritual condition of Israel was beyond home. He viewed his ministry as a failure and, even worse, lost hope that God could transform Israel. The only solution was for God to take him home.
As we look at the chaotic world that is descending into political turmoil and our culture is embracing post-modernism and rejecting God and the Bible, it is easy for us to become discourage and lose hope. People are indifferent, and even hostile, to Scripture and the church. To stand for the truth is to be labeled as a bigot and judgmental. Like Elijah, we are tempted to withdraw and stop sharing our faith with others. We repeat the words of Elijah that the people no longer listen to God’s Word, and there is no longer any hope of redemption.
The problem with Elijah was not his assessment of the people but his vision of God. In light of the people's idolatry, Elijah’s God had become too small. When God appeared to Elijah, God reminded him that He was still in control and that He was still advancing His purpose. What Elijah needed was a new perspective of faith in trusting in God’s sovereign plan.
The same is true for us today. Rather than retreating from the world and isolating ourselves within the church's walls, we need to reaffirm our calling to proclaim the gospel and the hope we have in Christ. The hope of our culture is not in the political leaders or a change in political parties; it is a change in our view of God. The gospel's message is just as relevant and powerful as it was in the days of Elijah and the apostles. Instead of isolating ourselves from our culture, we need to point people to our hope in Christ. When fear and discouragement overwhelm our souls because of the decline of our culture, we need a fresh reminder that God is still in control and moving in history to accomplish His purpose. Instead of fear, we can have faith in God and rededicate ourselves to be a witness for Him in a world that is looking for answers.
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