From Desperation to Deliverance!

Elijah waited...Broken. Weary. Exhausted. I wonder if he questioned, God where are you? Do you see my situation? Do you care? Elijah had obeyed God's voice, spoke what God told him to speak; but instead of experiencing immediate deliverance, Jezebel pursued to kill him. Elijah was on the run for his life!

In 1 Kings 19:11-13, we read: "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. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 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)

Like Elijah, I've waited for something big to happen. Sometimes, I search for God in the miraculous; I want GOD's VOICE to LEAP OUT at me in a HUGE MONUMENTAL WAY; but more often than not, God chooses to speak to me in a still soft voice...in gentle tenderness...

When I consider this passage, a couple key elements stand out to me that I think are essential for turbulent times. First,

1. Elijah was desperate. Desperation isn't bad; it pushes us to a place of surrender and dependency. Our powerlessness positions us to turn to The One Who is ALL Powerful. Elijah couldn't fake his way through this situation. He didn't have enough wisdom, anointing, or even enough UMP HA to press on. Friend, I don't like these times. I don't like realizing that despite my very best intentions and determination, I came up short...but...my desperation always reveals and reminds me of the hope I have in Christ! Another thought surrounding this story,
2. Elijah was determined. Desperation has a way of pushing us outside of the realm of comfort to a place of determination. And when we are determined to seek God with ALL our heart...WE WILL FIND HIM! (Jeremiah 29:13-14 promises "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD." NIV) Elijah knew he couldn't stay where he was and he knew he couldn't go back; he felt alone, isolated, and was fresh out of wisdom. So, he determined to NOT do anything except WAIT ON GOD. A third thought,
3. Elijah didn't get distracted. Powerful winds tore mountains apart and shattered rocks in his sight; earthquakes shook the ground from beneath his feet; fire erupted from the ground; But Elijah stood firm and waited. He waited for God to speak. NO more running. No more trying. Elijah was intent on one thing--HEARING GOD!!! He didn't focus on the powerful wind. He didn't try to outrun the shaking, quaking, earth. He didn't cower before the fire. Instead, he planted his feet firm and waited. AND, in the amidst of all the chaos surrounding him...
4. Elijah remained intent to discover God and experience God's deliverance. God spoke in a still soft voice. He called Elijah to his senses. He quickened Him with His word of comfort. And, He recommissioned him to press on.

So, what do we take from all those thoughts and apply them to our day to day trials?

1. Don't despise your desperation. Let it bring you to a place of dependency.
2. Let your desperation push you outside your realm of comfort to a place of determination to meet with God and to seek Him with all your heart.
3. Don't get distracted. Winds will rage. Mountains may be torn apart all around you. Fires could rise up and break through all the solid ground and walls around you...but even in those moments...GOD WILL speak...IF WE WAIT! 

Friend, stepping out for God has not been without trial. I've experienced powerful destructive winds tear through my life, ripping apart mountains. I've encountered earth shaking news that has shaken my world; I've felt the heat from blazing fires erupting and surrounding my life...ALL OF US HAVE...BUT...even amidst all of our trials...GOD SPEAKS tenderly and personally.

Today, may you DISCOVER HIM in the quietness of your soul as you wait for Him. Be desperate for Him. Be determined to seek Him. Don't get distracted looking by the power of the forces around you. Be intent to discover God and YOU WILL experience HIS deliverance!