A God We Can Trust

by Julie Zine Coleman     Start the Conversation

This morning I struggled. A very good friend was under the knife for a cancerous tumor in his sinus canal. They were told he would probably lose his eye. Or worse. Steve and I were sick for what they were facing. We prayed. We begged.

The month has felt oppressive in many ways in regards to our little church. Many dear members have encountered difficult circumstances. Two car accidents, this cancer, precious church members being physically moved away from us, difficult illnesses, etc. I don’t know where this is all coming from, but it feels like we are under attack.

This morning as I prayed, God reminded me of when Elijah, just after his big victory on Mount Carmel, hears of Jezebel’s vow to kill him. His response: he hides in a cave. God asks him: What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah tells him: “I have been very zealous for the Lord…and I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Interesting to see how God’s response to Elijah is first to reveal himself to him, first with a mighty wind, then an earthquake, and then a fire.

The writer then informs us: the Lord was not “in” those things, those powerful things that showed his might and majesty. He was “in” a gentle breeze that followed those things. He gently tells Elijah how things are going to go down: there are 7,000 faithful that remain. Elijah is not alone. God is not taken by surprise with what is happening. The ending is already written.

My peace was stolen this morning because I allowed myself to focus on the circumstances around me. Wrong place to be. We already know the end: it has already been written. The Good Guy wins. Satan will be bound for eternity.

In the meantime, even as we struggle through the discouraging things that surround us, our peace is dependent on where we choose to dwell. “Abide in Me, for apart from Me you can do nothing,” Jesus told His disciples. To survive discouragement, we must plant our feet on Solid Rock.

After revealing Himself, God tells Elijah to leave the cave of his choosing. “Go, return on your way to the wilderness…” Keep going. Trust Me.

So, in the midst of what frightens us, we need to keep moving forward. With our eyes on JESUS, the author and perfecter of our faith. Toward the finish line, where we know what God promised will be brought to completion.

He is powerful enough. Nothing is beyond His might. Yet He comes in a gentle breeze to interact one-on-one. What a beautiful picture of our God and His grace. He is worthy of our trust.

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