40 Days of Purpose Preview
What on Earth Am I Here For?
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Monday, September 22, 2003
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the opportunity to belong to You! That I can be in fellowship with the living God, through Your Son, Jesus, is incredible to me. Fill me with You Holy Spirit today that wherever I am and whoever I am with, I may sense Your presence and share the assurance of Your goodness. Bless those this day who have need of Your healing touch, whether the need is for physical healing, encouragement, or comfort in time of loss. All these things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible Verses
1 Kings 19:9b-18
But the LORD said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” 11“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14He replied again, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” 15Then the LORD told him, “Go back the way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. 17Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! 18Yet I will preserve seven thousand others in Israel who have never bowed to Baal or kissed him!”
Reflecting on Fellowship
When have you had a close time of fellowship just with you and the Lord?
Exploring Fellowship
How do you know that Elijah was feeling a sense of isolation, rather than fellowship as today’s Scripture begins? (9b-13)
What signs of God’s presence does God give to Elijah? (11-13)
What assurances is Elijah given by God, so Elijah will know that he has fellowship with God and others? (14-18)
Understanding Fellowship and My Purpose
Fellowship is often understood as a casual conversation between Christians over refreshments or a meal. What evidence is there in today’s reading that fellowship is something much more significant than that?
How does our fellowship with God impact our fellowship with other Christians?
Applying Fellowship to My Daily Life
What do you find in today’s Scripture that you can apply to your life right now with regard to fellowship with God?
Elijah and Fellowship!
Elijah felt isolated and alone. While God had used him miraculously just 40 days before while engaged in a contest between him and the prophets of Baal and Asherah, Elijah had been through 40 days of running—literally. Elijah had run away immediately after defeating the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah, because Queen Jezebel had proclaimed a death sentence on him. Rather than stand up to her as he had done to the false prophets and see God do a miracle, Elijah turned and ran. He complained to God that his life was over and that he actually wanted God to end his life. Instead, God sent Elijah on a 40 day fast and journey, that ended for Elijah on Mount Sinai—the mountain of God, where Moses had received the Law. Even at the end of the 40 Days Elijah still believed that he alone was faithful to God, that he was abandoned, that there was no hope for fellowship. God showed him otherwise. First, God spoke to Elijah directly. God joined in fellowship with him. Then God gave Elijah work to do, and reminded him that there were actually 7,000 others who were still in fellowship with Him and Elijah. Sometimes we think that we are the only ones who have remained faithful to God at work or school or even in our families. The reality is God ALWAYS reserves those to Himself who are in fellowship with Him, and who, therefore, are in fellowship with us, sharing the common hope and vision of Jesus redemption in our lives. So, when we feel alone, let’s look around and know God is there and so are others!
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