Blog

In Order. Just Like Us

June 26. I Kings 17 - 19

I Kings 17.1 

Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”

 

I really desire for God to use me and I think all of us do. When I read about the early disciples, the apostles, and the old Testament heroes of the faith like Elijah, I want to be like them. Like many that have been called on in the past to do some great thing for God, my first response is only human. I’m quick to point out or the enemy reminds me that I have lots of defects that would certainly disqualify me from being a super saint

I think that is the kind of person God uses. The one who feels inadequate, ill-equipped, fully aware of social, physical, emotional and spiritual flaws and even has failed trying in the past. Someone that is just like Elijah. Elijah is a hero of the faith.

So how is Elijah like us?

He got scared and ran when threatened

 

I Kings 19.3

2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 

 

He got discouraged and felt sorry for himself

 

19.4 …He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

 

He got tired and hungry

 

19.7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

 

He got depressed and Isolated himself 

 

19.9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”10 Elijah 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 am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

 

But, Elijah also prayed and God answered him and He will answer us when we pray because Elijah is just like us!

 

James 5:17 

Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

 

Dear Heavenly Father help me today not to dwell on my faults or my inadequacies but on your power to use me. May you use me today as you used Elijah as I bring to you in prayer the things that can only be fixed or accomplished by you. Thank you for making me the way that I am and using me today for your glory! 

 

 

 

Sal Sberna

Sal Sberna was Lead Pastor at The MET Church in Houston, Texas for 20 years. He retired on February 2015. He and Kristi Sberna have been married since 1981. They have two children, Salvatore and...more