SEEKING HOLY GROUND IN 2023: REDIRECTION

We continue our sermon series Seeking Holy Ground in 2023 with the sermon Redirection.  One of most enduring hymns in the world is Amazing Grace because it is a hymn about redirection and the need to find the path that leads us to holy ground.  “Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see” is the verse that most all of us would recognize.  Holy ground contains the power of redemption, hope, and ultimately the place where we see God’s redirection for our lives.  The challenge for every believer is to recognize that we are standing in God’s presence and allow his Spirit to point us in the right direction.  Unfortunately, our world has so many voices that are telling us their idea of the best direction, but this is contradictory and confusing.  Coupled with this, we have all the internal pressures that are driving us toward what we think is the best life.  Then, we have the spiritual battle with our broken human nature and forces of evil that are tempting us toward a destructive path!   How are we to find God’s direction?  This week we turn to 1 Kings 19:8-13 which focuses on the prophet Elijah.  Elijah is one of the greatest prophets of the Bible but in this passage he finds himself at one of his lowest points of despair.  Yet, the Word of Lord knows exactly where Elijah is hiding and meets him in this moment when he seems to have lost his way. God’s conversation with Elijah helps every believer to find the power of holy ground!  God wants to redirect our lives to bring us deeper into a dynamic relationship with him!  This is our most urgent prayer for you that when you feel lost, alone, and defeated you will sense the marvelous presence of our God that will put your feet on holy ground!

1 Kings 19: 8-13:

So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.  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, broken 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?”  (NIV)