One of my favorite parts of Bible Study, is just that, Bible Study. For years, I was what I would refer to as a surface reader, I was familiar with the books of the Bible where to find them and I had read things from them, but I never really paused to go beyond the word.  I hope today’s blog will be able to take us past the surface reading, and take us beyond the word so to speak that we might understand the very, very rich history of our Christian heritage. God used Elijah during an important time in Israel’s history. He chose Elijah to oppose a wicked king and bring revival to the land. Elijah’s ministry brought an end to the Baal worship in Israel. There is no doubt that Elijah’s life was filled with turmoil and it’s been written of him that at times he was bold and decisive but then again he could be fearful and tentative. He moves from victory and defeat followed by recovery. He never allowed depression to pull him down. He never lost faith in the power of God, we also note here the fact that the name of Elijah, a prophet of God means “my God is the Lord.” Elijah was understandably focused on the situation of life in this world he was living in and we do the same and it’s easy for us to take our eyes off the Lord and become discouraged. God does display his presence in power and judgment, wind, fire, earthquakes, but he also relates to us intimately and personally, which is a quiet whisper. God encourages us to examine our own thoughts and behaviors. He has given us free will, and he instruct us how to proceed and assures us that we are not alone. Elijah had many human frailties and even in times of failures and disappointments God used him mightily to strengthen the kingdom. God can use us even in our disheveled shape to bring us powerfully forward that we might defend the faith and the kingdom.

I also want today in this blog to introduce you, some of you already know and know it well, but to those who have never known or have never really heard it I would like to introduce you to the worship song Days of Elijah. It is unapologetically Christian. It was written by Robin Mark in 1995 and it’s an anthem of Hope and endurance that connects biblical prophecy to the modern church. In the mid 1990s when Robin Mark wrote this hymn they were a great number of global crisis that were capturing the attention of people everywhere. He was also inspired after hearing a sermon on the value of dry bones from the book of Ezekiel. The song Days of Elijah reminds us that God is in control during difficult or dark times, it inspires Christians to stand firm with integrity, justice, just as biblical figures did. What are the things about Elijah that stood out… that he stood boldly for God against cultural pressures and false profits during a time of moral decline… sound familiar. Some points taken from the song. The days of Moses and righteousness, that alludes to Moses and the restoration of God’s law holiness and right living. It acknowledges that there will be trials, famine and darkness and a time of war. World suffering, tribulation and hardships are all present while emphasizing that believers are a voice in a desert preparing the way for God. The Chorus of the song anticipates the second coming of Jesus Christ(“riding on the clouds”), a trumpet call, the year of jubilee, which was a biblical time of debt release, freedom, and restoration, and the salvation coming from Zion. As we move on through the chorus there is a reference to Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones coming to life which symbolize spiritual renewal, resurrection, hope, and the restoration of God’s people. There is a reference to King David rebuilding the temple of praise, representing continuous worship, and devotion to God. Days of the harvest as a spiritual harvest, or Christians acting as laborers in the Vineyard to spread the gospel message…Or better put more plainly declaring the word of the Lord. It is at this point that the writer of the song gives us a bridge the connects and brings it all together. A direct declaration of there is only one God and supreme allegiance to God above all powers or idols the song states it as there is “No God like Jehovah.”

So we’ll wrap up this week’s blog with this reminder. The song that Robin Mark wrote is poetic, it’s inspirational. It’s a call for Christians to stand firm with moral integrity during the cultural and global trials that we’re facing right now. Thanks for joining us in The Pew this week. I hope you will be able to take the time to Google the song “The Days of Elijah.” I highly encourage you to do so… you will be inspired.

Life is Good

jk