Maybe not what you think at first…

by Jonathan Brood & Craig Holmquist

Imagine being part of God doing 7 miracles… stop rain from falling for three years, being fed by the ravens (not Baltimore), having a mostly empty food jar never running out, raising a young man from the dead, calling down fire from heaven, praying for rain that brings a three-year drought to an end and then outrunning the king’s chariot for about 18 miles.  Pretty incredible, right?  But then you find out there is a price on your head and you begin to despair. In the midst of that, God comes and meets you where you are at and shows you great mercy. 

That is where Elijah finds himself in 1 Kings 19. He was in a posture of despair and needed God even after witnessing so many of God’s miracles. So, God sends a great and strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire. But in 1 Kings 19:12 we find that God was not in any of these, but came after the fire… 

That is our Theme for 2024… “After the fire”.   

“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”  1 Kings 19:12 

Read 1 Kings 19 and ask yourself a few questions: 

• Where have you seen God at work around you? 
• Can you relate to Elijah in chapter 19? 
• Elijah was believing a lie.  Is there a lie that you are believing that is keeping you from experiencing God’s peace?   
• Are you ready to allow God to work in and through you this summer? 

God is faithful in the exciting, good times and during the challenging hard times.  The Apostle James tells us that Elijah had a nature just like ours.  We believe that God is being faithful in your life right now. 

Looking forward to an “After the fire” conversation over coffee, a meal or at a campfire with you.