Is life a comedy or a tragedy? Are we the hero or the victim? Or maybe the villain? Is the world descending into chaos and dystopia or are we on a path of ever-increasing prosperity and progress? The stories we tell orient us to our place in the world and our role in the story.
The Bible tells the story of a loving God and a messy people. There is a beginning and an end. Major themes of creation, redemption, and sanctification trace the arc of this grand narrative. And Jesus Christ is the center of it all – the great hero of the story who comes incognito to rescue and redeem his broken creation.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
O Lord, your scars are your trophies, proof of your unfailing love for me. I am haunted by the guilt of my past, the sins of my present, and my fear of the future. Lord, at the cross you said, “It is finished.” So I stop my worry. I rest in you. You have done it all. Amen.
Confession
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Lord, forgive my fugitive ways. I turn and run from you. Forgive my criminal acts of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Forgive my violations of arrogance and selfishness. Forgive me for denying you, ignoring you, and disregarding you. I am the one at fault. I have no other help but to turn my face to you and plead, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Word: 1 Kings 18:36-38
“Elijah the prophet came near and said, ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God … Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
Meditation: God Answers Us by Allison Lewis
On Thursdays, my coworkers and I gather (virtually) for a half-hour, all-company meeting. Everyone is invited to participate as we hear from a guest speaker or a fellow teammate. Last week, we had a session entitled “Data Analyst AMA (Ask Me Anything.)” We were encouraged to submit any questions that we had about what our data analysts and data engineers do in relation to our data software solutions.
As you might expect, there were tons of questions. Some were simple; others were more complex. But for every question, there was a definitive answer. It wasn’t always straightforward or concrete, but an answer nonetheless.
Elijah makes a big ask of the Lord in 1 Kings 18. The Israelites have strayed from God yet again under the rule of King Ahab. They have turned from the true, living God to worship Baal, a false god. As Elijah struggles to help the people repent of their sin and turn back to the Lord, he comes up with a plan. The Israelites will have the option to decide who to follow, based on which altar is lit on fire — either Baal’s or the Lord’s (1 Kings 18:36-38).
Elijah pleads with the Lord: “Answer me, O Lord, answer me that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have turned their hearts back” (1 Kings 18:37).
God responds by miraculously lighting the entire altar ablaze, even the water in the surrounding trench. And the people repent and turn their hearts back to the Lord.
I’m not sure what’s on your heart today, but I’d encourage you to take it to God in prayer. Just as he answered Elijah, our Lord answers us. It may not be a “Yes” or a “Right Now.” It could be a “Wait,” or a “No,” or a “Not Yet.” But our Lord promises to answer us when we reach out to him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for answering me. Please keep my eyes focused on you. Help me to bring everything to you in prayer. Amen.
Benediction
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)