Rising in Faith: Embracing God's Ongoing Story
Summary
In the midst of life's spiritual battles, when exhaustion sets in and the temptation to surrender to defeat looms large, it is crucial to remember that God is not calling us to give up but to give in to His divine plan. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but a powerful act of faith, acknowledging that our own strength is insufficient and that we must rely on God's infinite power and wisdom.
During a recent hospital visit, I encountered a senior believer ready to abandon her earthly journey for the comfort of heaven. With conviction, I reminded her that the authority to end her story rests with God alone. Her renewed vigor to serve the Lord is a testament to the truth that our stories are not over until God says they are.
We often find ourselves like Elijah, beaten down by life's challenges, ready to retreat to the comfort of the past rather than pressing into where God is actively working. Yet, God calls us to rise from our despondency, to nourish our spirits with His Word, to re-evaluate our purpose, and to seek His direction in the quiet whispers of our hearts.
As we embark on this new sermon series, inspired by gym t-shirts with profound messages, we are reminded that the principles of physical fitness mirror the spiritual disciplines required for a robust faith. The journey of faith, like the pursuit of physical health, demands commitment, discipline, and the willingness to endure stress and pain.
The story of Elijah, fleeing from Jezebel and seeking refuge on Mount Horeb, teaches us that in moments of despair, God provides sustenance, direction, and companionship. He asks us to re-evaluate our position, to return to the path He has set before us, and to listen for His gentle voice amidst the chaos of life.
In conclusion, when we find ourselves at the brink of surrender, let us remember that God is not finished with us. He calls us to rise, to feed on His Word, to seek His face, and to embrace the journey He has ordained. Our story continues as long as we draw breath, for God's purposes for us are not yet fulfilled.
Key Takeaways:
- God's plan for our lives often involves a journey through valleys of exhaustion and moments of despair. In these times, He provides not only the sustenance we need but also the directive to "get up" because our story is not over. This call to rise is an invitation to trust in His provision and to continue the work He has for us. [48:47]
- When we are tempted to retreat to the comfort of the past, God challenges us to re-evaluate our current position. He asks us, "What are you doing here?" prompting us to consider whether we are dwelling on past glories or actively engaging in His present work. This re-evaluation is a crucial step in realigning ourselves with God's ongoing narrative. [59:12]
- Spiritual companionship is a vital component of our faith journey. God places individuals in our lives to provide accountability, encouragement, and strength. These companions help us to remain steadfast and to face the challenges of life with courage and conviction. [01:09:12]
- The gentle whisper of God's voice is often overshadowed by the clamor of life's earthquakes, winds, and fires. Yet, it is in the quiet moments that we can truly hear His direction and guidance. We must cultivate a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's gentle prompting, which aligns with the truth of Scripture. [01:03:39]
- Our response to God's call to "get up" is an act of obedience and faith. It signifies our willingness to leave behind the brokenness and to embrace the purpose and plan He has for us. As we rise, we acknowledge that our story is part of a greater narrative that God is writing, and we commit to playing our role with dedication and zeal. [01:14:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Kings 19:1-18
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Elijah's emotional state when he fled from Jezebel, and what did he ask God to do? ([40:39])
2. How did God provide for Elijah when he was in the wilderness? ([47:41])
3. What question did God ask Elijah twice, and what was Elijah's response? ([42:16])
4. What instructions did God give Elijah after he reached Mount Horeb? ([01:05:18])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Elijah felt so defeated and ready to give up after such a significant victory on Mount Carmel? ([39:21])
2. How does God's provision of food and rest for Elijah in the wilderness reflect His care for us in our times of need? ([47:41])
3. What is the significance of God speaking to Elijah in a gentle whisper rather than through the powerful wind, earthquake, or fire? ([01:03:39])
4. How does Elijah's journey to Mount Horeb and God's question, "What are you doing here?" challenge us to re-evaluate our own spiritual journeys? ([42:16])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually exhausted. How did you respond, and what could you have done differently to seek God's provision and rest? ([47:41])
2. Elijah was asked to re-evaluate his purpose and direction. Are there areas in your life where you need to re-evaluate your current position and seek God's guidance? ([53:06])
3. How can you cultivate a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's gentle whisper in your daily life amidst the chaos and noise? ([01:03:39])
4. God provided Elijah with spiritual companionship through Elisha. Who are the spiritual companions in your life, and how can you strengthen those relationships for mutual encouragement and accountability? ([01:09:12])
5. When faced with the temptation to retreat to the comfort of the past, how can you actively engage in God's present work and trust in His ongoing narrative for your life? ([59:12])
6. Elijah's story reminds us that our journey is not over until God says it is. What steps can you take to rise from any current despondency and embrace the purpose and plan God has for you? ([01:14:11])
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to "get up" and continue the work God has for you. What practical steps will you take this week to move forward in faith and obedience? ([01:14:11])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Sustaining Power
In the valleys of exhaustion and despair, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of our struggles. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that God extends an invitation to lean on His strength. He provides the sustenance we need, both physically and spiritually, to "get up" and continue the journey He has set before us. This divine provision is a reminder that our story is far from over; it is an ongoing narrative that God is meticulously crafting. When weariness seeks to claim victory, it is the sustenance from God that fuels the soul and renews the spirit, enabling one to rise with renewed purpose and to carry on with the work that lies ahead. This act of rising is not merely a physical one but a profound spiritual response to God's unwavering faithfulness and His call to persevere in the face of adversity [07:40].
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV)
"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall stumble and fall; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God's strength to "get up" and continue? How can you actively seek His sustenance today?
Day 2: Engaging in God's Present Work
The comfort of the past can often be a seductive escape from the challenges of the present. However, God calls us to live in the now, to serve in the current chapter of our lives with intention and purpose. He challenges us to re-evaluate our position, to ask ourselves if we are merely reminiscing about past successes or if we are actively participating in His unfolding plan. This process of self-examination is essential for realigning with God's will, ensuring that we are not stuck in what was but are moving forward in what is and what is to come. It is a call to be present in the moment, to engage with the opportunities and tasks that God has placed before us today [59:12].
1 Kings 19:13-15 (ESV)
"And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' And the Lord said to him, 'Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.'"
Reflection: What is one way you can shift your focus from past achievements to actively engaging in God's work today?
Day 3: Cherishing Spiritual Companionship
The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone. God, in His wisdom, provides companions along the way—individuals who offer accountability, encouragement, and strength. These spiritual companions are gifts from God, placed in our lives to help us remain steadfast in our walk with Him. They are the ones who stand by us in times of trial, who celebrate with us in moments of joy, and who challenge us to grow in our faith. This fellowship is a source of great strength, enabling us to face life's battles with courage and to persevere with conviction, knowing that we are supported by a community of believers who share our commitment to Christ [01:09:12].
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who are the spiritual companions God has placed in your life, and how can you strengthen those relationships this week?
Day 4: Listening for God's Gentle Whisper
In a world filled with noise and chaos, it can be challenging to discern the voice of God. Yet, it is often in the quiet moments, away from the tumult of life's earthquakes, winds, and fires, that we can hear His gentle whisper. Cultivating a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's prompting requires us to slow down, to be still, and to immerse ourselves in the truth of Scripture. It is in these moments of quiet reflection that we can receive clear direction and guidance for our lives. This practice of listening intently for God's voice is a discipline that aligns our hearts with His will and equips us to navigate the complexities of life with divine wisdom [01:03:39].
1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV)
"And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
Reflection: How can you create a quiet space in your day to listen for God's gentle whisper and what steps will you take to make this a regular practice?
Day 5: Embracing God's Purpose with Zeal
Responding to God's call to "get up" is an act of obedience that reflects a heart willing to leave behind brokenness and to embrace the purpose and plan He has for us. It is a commitment to participate in the greater narrative that God is writing, to play our role with dedication and zeal. This response is a declaration of faith, an acknowledgment that our lives are not random sequences of events but are intricately woven into God's grand design. As we rise to this call, we do so with the assurance that our story is significant and that our contributions, no matter how small they may seem, have eternal value in the kingdom of God [01:14:11].
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to respond to God's call with obedience and to pursue His purpose for your life with renewed zeal?
Quotes
"When we're exhausted from the spiritual grind and we're ready to quit, God is not calling us to give up, he's calling us to give in to his plan." [43:53] (Download | )
"God's not calling you to give up what he's calling you today to do is to Simply give in, he's calling you today to give in to his plan by surrendering your plan." [01:14:40] (Download | )
"God's telling you to get up because your story is not over yet. But Pastor, God's just not speaking to me. I've prayed and I've listened and I've studied the word and I'm just looking for God and he's not showing me a sign." [01:00:54] (Download | )
"God has put these people together so two would be more powerful than one to bring this accountability to strengthen them to do the work that was set up before them." [01:09:12] (Download | )
"God's going to allow him to take this journey and fall on his face because that's where he wants us to be in such a place of Brokenness that we can only depend on God." [48:15] (Download | )
"God even says it's a wicked and perverse Nation who seeks a sign but I've asked God and he's not speaking to me it's because we're not hearing this gentle voice." [01:02:01] (Download | )
"God's not finished with you and the reason I know he's not finished with you is because his story is not over yet." [01:13:13] (Download | )
"God is not in the wind, and after the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." [01:03:39] (Download | )
"God says if you want to die out of that broom brush all by yourself you're going to do that, he says but I'm going to provide some things for you." [01:10:44] (Download | )
"God's word provides milk, First Corinthians says his word the word of the Lord is meat, in Deuteronomy 8:3 says that his word is bread." [50:56] (Download | )
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