Trusting a God we don’t understand

Bible Reading (May 30)

• 1 Kings 17-18
• Psalm 75
• 2 Corinthians 2

What Spiritual Gift is God giving me for my growth today, that I can share with others? (Rom 1:11)

In 2 Cor 2:14 Paul reminds us that God wants to use us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere. That we should be like a sweet perfume. Those who witness our lives should experience a Christ-Like fragrance.

What a privilege God has given us! But, that privilege carries a great responsibility!

2 Cor 2:14-15 Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. ¹⁵ Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God

What encouraged me in my faith? (Rom 1:12)

Elijah stood up for God and put himself out on a limb, and God honored Him, and displayed His power in an awesome way. In the contest with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:1-40 Elijah challenges the people, “If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.” (1 Kings 18:21) Then he stands up with unswerving faith, and even mocks the worshippers of Baal. I don’t suggest that we follow Elijah’s example in that, but he had absolute faith in God to show himself. And God honored his faith!

1 Kings 18:36-39 At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The LORD—he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!”

What spiritual fruit does God want to work in me? What can I share with others that God can use to produce fruit among them also? (Rom 1:13)

In my life of Christ study I am just finishing up the story of John the Baptist’s beheading. As I studied that I read the book, “Prisoner in the Third Cell,” by Gene Edwards. In the book he presents the story from John’s perspective and posses the question, “Can we trust a God we don’t fully understand?” That’s the dilemma with trials and hardships. We don’t understand. God doesn’t give answer the “why” question, and we are simply left with trusting His character and counting on the truths we know.

In 1 Kings 17:20 we find a similar story. Elijah predicts a famine. When it happens,king Ahab seeks revenge on Elijah and hunts him down to kill him. But, God protects Elijah. He tells Elijah (1 Kings 17:3-4) “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” Elijah obeys.But the brook dries up.

Next, God tells Elijah, (1 Kings 17:8-9) “Go and live in Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” When he gets there and asks the widow to feed him, her reply is basically, “Are you crazy? I was just about to make the last meal for my son and I, then we are going to die.” (1 Kings 17:12) So Elijah says, “Feed me first, and your flour and oil won’t run out. (1 Kings 17:16) So God provides once again. But then, the woman’s son dies, and she blames Elijah!

The text says “Elijah cried out to God.” (1 Kings 17:20) “God why did you let this happen? What are you doing? God, this isn’t fair! You were able to send ravens to feed me in the dessert. You made her flour and oil to not run out. Why did you allow her son to die. God, I don’t understand!

In 2 Cor 2:11 Paul warns us to not be outsmarted by Satan’s schemes. In 2 Cor 2:14 Paul said that God wants us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume, our lives should be a Christ-like fragrance.” When we are grumbling and complaining over what God is doing, or anxious and worried about the latest doctors diagnosis, or about all the “what ifs,” what kind of fragrance is that sending up? We are being “outsmarted by Satan’s schemes!”

Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.