 We tend to have our own idea of what God should do. “This is the perfect time for you to show your power, God.” “Why don’t you stop the injustice?” If God does not meet our expectations, we feel disappointed. It turns out God’s top prophet, Elijah, had a similar experience in 1 Kings 19:1-18.
Ahab, Israel’s king, had made Baal to be Israel’s god. Elijah, before the Israelites, challenged the 450 Baal prophets. Through a spectacular miracle, he got all of them killed. The over-confident Elijah ran to Jezreel, the capital of Israel, perhaps expecting Ahab and the Israelites to repent and return to God. Instead, Ahab’s wife threatened to kill him within a day. Elijah ran for his life. He even let his servant go, implying quitting his ministry (v3). Totally demoralized, he asked God to let him die (v4). How did God treat Elijah’s depression? Twice, an angel touched him, fed him, and let him sleep (v5, 7). Strengthened by the food, Elijah travelled for 40 days to Horeb (or Mount Sinai), where Moses had been given the ten commandments. God asked him what he was doing there (v9). Elijah responded that he was the only one zealous for Him, basically asking, “What’s wrong with you, God? Why didn’t you show your power and do what I think you should?” (v10). Elijah assumed God would do certain things in Israel. When God didn’t follow through, Elijah became overly pessimistic: “I am the only one [prophet] left” (v10). Elijah tried to put God in his box, and when God was not there, Elijah grew cynical and depressed. As described above, God treated Elijah with comfort, sustenance, sleep, and time. He also just allowed Elijah to talk without condemning him. Then God responded. First, God showed a glimpse of His strength through powerful wind tearing mountains apart, earthquake, and fire. Then God gently talked to Elijah, telling Elijah His plan. God counseled and healed Elijah with gentle words. God’s ways are beyond us. Don’t try to put God in our box. Instead, have faith in the almighty and brilliant God, and listen to His words. God will do the right thing at the right time. Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon: https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-still-small-voice-8969/ 不要试图强迫上帝符合我们对他的想法 我们有我们的想法应为上帝应该做什么。“神啊，这是最佳时机显示你的力量”。 “你为何不停止冤屈？” 如果上帝不听从我们的要求，我们就会感到非常失望。上帝的最高先知以利亚在列王记上 19章1至18节中也有类似的经历。 以色列国王亚哈使巴力成为以色列的偶像。以利亚在以色列人面前挑战了四百五十名巴力先知。通过了奇妙的神迹，以利亚把他们全部杀死了。 满有自信的以利亚跑到以色列首都耶斯列 。他可能期望亚哈和以色列人悔改回到上帝面前。相反，亚哈的妻子扬言要在一天内将他杀死。 以利亚逃命了。他甚至让仆人们离开，表明了他想放弃先知职责（第3节）。彻底失望的以利亚甚至要求神让他死亡（第4节）。 上帝如何应对以利亚的沮丧? 天使两次地触摸了以利亚，提供食物，也让他安然入睡（第5，7节）。在食物的支持下，以利亚行走了四十天，来到了神的何烈山（即西乃山），神是在那里向摩西显示出祂的大能, 给了摩西十诫。以利亚可能想要相似的经历和启示。 上帝问他在那里做什么（第9节）。以利亚回答说，只有他对上帝非常热心。 他基本上是在问神：“上帝，你为何不显示你的大能, 做点我想你做的事?”（第10节） 以利亚以为神应当在以色列做某些事情。当上帝没有做时，以利亚变得非常悲观：“我是剩下的唯一一个[先知]。”（第10节）以利亚试图强迫上帝符合他的想法，但当上帝没有时，以利亚变得偏激和沮丧。 如上描述，上帝从触摸(感性)，营养(食物)，睡眠，和时间来治疗他。 上帝也不加批判地让他说话。然后上帝回应了他的问题。 首先，神以可摧毁山峰的强风，地震和大火来显示祂的能力。接着上帝轻轻地告诉以利亚了祂的计划。藉着祂轻柔的话，神劝告和医治了以利亚。 上帝的方式完全超出了我们。不要试图强迫上帝符合我们对他的观念。相反地要对全能和明智的神有信心，听祂的话。上帝会在适当的时间做正确的事。 Comments are closed.
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