STANDING STRONG IN A SHAKEN WORLD: TURNING POINT

The last 18 months have been a series of crises. When we encounter any crisis, it can be traumatic, frightening, and confusing, when we go through a series of them, it can be overwhelming. In our series Standing Strong in a Shaken World, the sermon is Turning Point.  9/11 was a crisis moment for our nation because it tested our resolve and resiliency. We had to commit ourselves to a new direction and to rebuild even in the face of adversity. The Chinese word for “crisis” can also mean “opportunity.” In any crisis there is also an opportunity to change our direction and our commitments.  We return this week to the story of Elijah found in 1 Kings 19:9-18.  He was facing an emotional and spiritual turning point. He was living in a cave which is a great symbol of his spiritual and emotional state. Yet, God was not content to let him stay in the cave of his despair.  Instead, God invites him to come to mouth of the cave for a dramatic demonstration. As God “passes by,” Elijah realizes a clarity about God’s presence and care. This moment was not simply to help Elijah, but all of us as we find ourselves overwhelmed with the realities of our time. It is our prayer that as you read 1 Kings 19:9-18, you will sense the power of God bringing you out of the cave of despair and into the comforting presence of our living God! 1 Kings 19:9-18: 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15 The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel– all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” (NIV)