 Elijah’s Challenge – Part 8, Horeb, A Place to Focus 2004 : Week 38 | Printer Friendly Version The last few weeks we noted that Elijah wanted to give up on his ministry and life, but the Lord wouldn’t let him. God is the one giving us strength; if He calls us to a task, He will give us what is required to succeed. Thus it was that Moses could lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Thus it was that David, a child, could stand before Goliath and slay him. Thus it was that Sarah could conceive a child when she was past the time to do so. The Bible is full of people who did things they were, in and of themselves, incapable of doing, yet by the power of God, the impossible became possible. Though we remember the characters for their heroic struggles, the glory goes back to God; He is the reason for their victories. After running from Jezebel, Elijah is met by an angel of God who gives him food and drink. Elijah proceeds to travel for 40 days and 40 nights until he arrives at Horeb, the mountain of God; Horeb is also known as Mount Sinai. It’s where the Lord gave the 10 Commandments, also known as The Law, to us all. Why did Elijah go to Horeb? What was this journey for, or was it by chance that ended up there? Was it to remind Elijah of the Israelites journey out of Egypt? Was it to remind him that God sustained Israel for the 40 years they wandered in the desert? We can see the many parallels between what Elijah went through and the other stories concerning the Israelites and Horeb; Elijah would have seen them as well. He would see significance of the Lord keeping him alive for 40 days and nights before getting to Horeb. He was well versed in the history of Israel, but this was meant to be more then a history lesson for Elijah. Perhaps the Lord wanted Elijah to refocus on Him and His law. In his desperate state, Elijah had shifted his focus from God and His word. Here, at Horeb, Elijah could not escape the reality of the importance of both of these, since it is a place drenched with the history of God’s word and His appearances. Further, the story of Elijah at Horeb is a reminder to us about what is important in our lives. When things seem desperate, we are all capable of making the mistake of taking our eyes off of God and the words He gave to us to meditate on. Life, when it gets crazy, can make us lose track of what is essential. We shouldn’t forget how important the word of God is, and how it affects every aspect of our lives. Our understanding of God, His Law and His grace effects everything we do. The more time we spend meditating on those things, the closer we will walk with Him. David understood this, and he makes it clear in Psalm 19:7-8 (NASB):
It would be wonderful to visit Horeb and feel the history found there, and we’d all feel a spiritual high standing on the Mountain where God gave us The Law. The truth is, we don’t have to make a physical journey to Horeb when we are down. When our souls are weary, when we are tired, when we are depressed or need wisdom, we can pick up the Bible and read again about God’s mighty provision, Law and grace. In the Bible we can get healing for our sorrows, and we don’t have to travel across the world to see our physician; He is always with the believer, and God loves to make house calls. Invite Him in and meditate on the words He spoke to you from Horeb. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you today and always…  Printer Friendly Version Archives | Tell Your Friends | Submit a Devotion |
 1 Kings 19:8-9 (NASB) 8 So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" • Read Chapter • Listen to Chapter |
