We need to worship Him.

Elijah is ready to give up.  He’s done his part.  He confronted Ahab and Jezebel, 450 prophets of Baal, and a large crowd of false-god-following Israelites.  Now the king and his wife want Elijah dead.  He figures he might as well be dead.  But, God won’t let him die.  He has more to do.  So, Elijah goes to Mt. Sinai – the mountain of the LORD.

There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the LORD said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 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." (1 Kings 19:9-10 NLT)

We’ve been talking about needs this week and my guess is that the list of needs we talked about probably weren’t on your list.  Food and covering may have been on your list before this week, but God’s method of getting food and covering probably didn’t make your list: seek His Kingdom and His Righteousness.

"Go out and stand before Me on the mountain," the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-12 NLT)

Did you really consider it a “need” to witness others about the power, the goodness, and the love of God?  Did you see it as a “need” to do your part of God’s Plan in the power of God’s Spirit?  Did you “need” to rest in Him, trusting God for provision, protection, and purpose?

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied again, "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." (1 Kings 19:13-14 NLT)

Many things don’t make sense in life – nature, people, economics, education, and even a sense of purpose in our lives – because we try to understand them without the LORD.  God, however, created, sustains, and rules over all these things.  None of it will make sense without God. 

Then the LORD told him, "Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as My prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha!” (1 Kings 19:15-17 NLT)

We only see a small part.  God sees it all.  We only understand a fraction.  God understands the whole.  We control only ourselves and the way we interact with the world.  God is sovereign over all.  This is why we need to stop, remember all of this, and worship the Only True Living God.

“Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!" (1 Kings 19:18 NLT)

How about you?  Do you hold strong like the 7,000?  Are you faithful to God’s call like Elijah?  Do you take the time to back up, see the big picture, and put your faith, once again, in God?  Do you worship Him?