When Expectations Fail

And it came to pass after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.” 1 Kings 18:1

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Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

1 Kings 17 launches into the powerful story of Elijah, an incredibly anointed man in the Old Testament, and provides a compelling narrative of faith and divine intervention. He fearlessly challenges the corrupt King Ahab, prophesying a drought that will only end upon his command, demonstrating the immense significance of the powerful anointing upon him.

Then, God sends him to a remote location near the brook Cherith, outside the Promised Land. In this unlikely setting, he's cared for by some unusual helpers – ravens bring him food, and he drinks from the brook. But as the drought persists, even this divine provision eventually runs out. It's a reminder that times and seasons change, and sometimes God's provisions change along with them.

When the brook Cherith dried up, God directed Elijah to Zarephath, in the heart of Baal's territory. There, he met a struggling widow facing starvation. Elijah asked for her last meal, and though she hesitated, she trusted his assurance that her food supply would last until the drought ended. She obeyed, and as promised, Elijah, the widow, and her son had daily food. The flour and oil did not run out, as God had said through Elijah.

Later, the widow's son became ill and died. The woman was brokenhearted and questioned Elijah about her son's death. Elijah took the boy to his room, laid him on his bed, and cried out to God. He stretched himself out on the boy three times and prayed for God to let the boy's life return. The Lord heard Elijah's prayer, and the boy's life returned. This event marks a defining moment, the first instance of resurrection recorded in the Bible.

As unusual and awe-inspiring as his journey was, it was only preparation for the big showdown awaiting Elijah at Mount Carmel. There, he fearlessly confronts 400 prophets of Baal, challenges the people to serve God, summons fire from heaven, kills the prophets of Baal, and ends the relentless drought that brought about the nation's economic collapse and decimated the population (1 Kings 18).

Elijah's journey to Mount Carmel is a lesson for those seeking to operate in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the space that often exists between God's initial call and its ultimate fulfillment. As confusing and challenging as this waiting period can be, it offers a valuable opportunity to prepare and learn how to follow and flow with the Holy Spirit.  Imagine Elijah arriving at Mount Carmel without any history or training to work with the anointing.

Elijah's ministry transformed an entire nation, and this same anointing, known as the Elijah anointing, is promised for the end-times church (Malachi 4:5). When the spirit and power of Elijah rest upon the church, it will "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:6), altering the destiny of nations and preparing the people for the coming of the Lord Jesus (Luke 3:4-6). Trust His timing if you find yourself waiting between God's call and its fulfillment. He may be preparing you for the spirit and power of Elijah.

Many Blessings, BW

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

King David, with great boldness, declared that God would reveal to him - and prophetically to us - the path of life, a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As a twelve-year-old, Jesus showed us the path that shaped His life. He said, "Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49 AMPC). Jesus invites us to join Him on the same path.

Having walked this path, albeit with imperfections, for a considerable time, I can confidently attest that it is the most enriching way to live. It is not always a smooth ride or about self- fulfillment, but it is a path that leaves us with fewer regrets and more joy. Essentially, a life devoted to nurturing relationships and selfless service ushers us into His Presence and fills our hearts with a profound sense of fulfillment and joy.

The Greek translation of Jesus'; words reads, “I must be in, or among, the things that belong to my Father.“ The phrase "the things of my Father" emphasizes that He serves in the Kingdom of God and highlights that He was in a close-knit family. As the Apostle Paul later explained, the grand design was for us to be citizens of God's Kingdom and cherished as members of His family (Ephesians 2:19-22).

One of the most precious gifts from our Heavenly Father is the beautiful experience of being warmly welcomed into His family (Ephesians 1:5). In the same way that adoptive parents choose and embrace a child, we too are personally selected by our Father and joyously brought into His close-knit family circle. This divine adoption comes with incredible privileges and rights, making us true heirs of God and sharing in the inheritance with Christ (Romans 8:16-17).

Through our faith in Christ, we become part of God's family, His cherished sons and daughters, enjoying the rich blessings and glory that come with our spiritual birthright (1 Corinthians 2:9).

At the heart of our spiritual journey is establishing a deep connection with the Father and recognizing our identity as His beloved children. We are not just called to be passive observers but to play an active and significant role in His Kingdom’s mission. Following the example of Jesus, who entered this world as a beloved Son and a humble servant, we bear witness to God's love for all humanity (John 13:13-17). This service is not a heavy burden but a joy and fulfillment that brings us closer to understanding the heart of the Father and His mission. It is a privilege we are blessed to partake in. Your role in God's mission is not just important; it is crucial and significant, an integral part of His divine plan.

Accolades or material wealth do not bring us true fulfillment and success. Instead, it is the depth of our connection with our heavenly Father and our steadfast commitment to serve those He brings into our lives. The path of life leads to a walk-in sync with God’s family and Kingdom mission, placing us in a grand design that holds far greater significance than any self- centered, worldly existence could ever offer. In this relationship and service, we unearth true fulfillment and success, a success that surpasses the boundaries of this world and reverberates in eternity.

 Many Blessings, BW

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He [Uzziah] continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him successful. 2 Chronicles 26:5

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Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

As I embarked on my journey in pastoral ministry, I was moved by the story of King Uzziah and the profound impact of his reign on Judah’s history. His accomplishments in the military, infrastructure, and spiritual reforms stood out to me, shaping Israel’s path during his time. I felt a calling from the Lord to walk a path of significance in His kingdom.

However, my initial understanding of kingdom significance was limited and idealistic. I believed then, as I still do now, that God invites us to live lives of purpose and impact. Yet, I’ve realized that kingdom significance isn’t about making a career out of it; it’s about aligning with God’s heart and becoming a servant to His causes and people (Matthew 20:25-28). Despite his many accomplishments, Uzziah’s downfall came when he lost sight of God’s heart for serving His people.

In his early days, Uzziah passionately loved God. The phrase “As long as he sought the Lord” is a testimony to his unwavering dedication and a source of motivation for us all. It’s a reminder that our circumstances should never deter us from answering God’s call. The term sought paints a picture of forging a path, symbolizing overcoming obstacles and challenges. Life presents many hurdles that can make God’s opportunities seem unreachable. We can either give in to the urge to retreat or lean on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, moving forward with faith to carve a way for ourselves and inspire others along the journey.

In our spiritual journey, we are not meant to walk alone. Just as God blessed Uzziah with the wise prophet Zechariah, who taught him to fear the Lord, we too can expect to have prophetic and wise mentors, teachers, and supportive friends. These individuals, who genuinely believe in us and the mission we’ve been entrusted with, are a blessing and testimony to the value of community and the strength we can draw from those around us.

Uzziah’s story is a reminder that a strong and blessed start doesn’t always guarantee a powerful finish. Despite starting his life beautifully in grace (2 Chronicles 26:16-21), he let arrogance take over. His entitlement-driven anger led him to overstep his authority, particularly in worship. Uzziah insisted on doing things his way, defending his actions, and asserting his rights. This tragic turn of events warns of the dangers of pride and the importance of humility in our relationship with God.

Unfortunately, Uzziah developed leprosy on his forehead in his anger (2 Chronicles 26:19). In the Bible, leprosy is often used as a symbol for sin, representing how it can impair and numb the sensitivity of its victims. After this incident, King Uzziah lived the rest of his life in seclusion, unable to lead his nation or participate in the spiritual life of Israel. It’s a sad ending for a man once abundantly blessed and significantly used by God.

Uzziah’s story powerfully reminds us of the Holy Spirit’s desire to fill our lives with a deep love for God’s beauty and purposes, surrounding us with a supportive and caring community along life’s journey. Yet, it also cautions us against the dangers of pride, entitlement, and sin creeping into our hearts, causing us to lose sight of the servant heart of the Lord.

Many Blessings, BW

“At this time, Moses was born, and he was beautiful to God. He was nurtured for three months in his father’s home. Acts 7:20

Dear People Who Keep Company with God,
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The books of Exodus to Deuteronomy tell the story of Moses’ incredible life. As you explore these scriptures, you'll discover that beyond his remarkable leadership, many miracles are associated with him. They reveal how tumultuous his birth and life circumstances were, background details that are easy to overlook but integral to his redemptive story.

Moses was born during a time of genocide, where countless Hebrew baby boys were being drowned. In a desperate bid for his survival, his mother placed him in a basket among the reeds along the Nile River, hoping that someone would discover and care for him (Exodus 2:1-3).

Remarkably, Moses was found by members of the household of the ruler who demanded and sanctioned the slaughter of his people. He grew up in the palace of Pharaoh. This place was a continual reminder of the children whose lives were mercilessly cut off and God's seeming silence in the face of suffering and horrific injustice (Exodus 2:10).

Undoubtedly, Moses carried the weight of his people's anguish, wrestling within himself about his identity and purpose. In a moment of anger at the injustices, he struck and killed an Egyptian who had been abusing one of his Hebrew brothers and hid the man’s body in the sand (Exodus 2:11-12). Yet, even in this dark hour, he had hope, believing that his activism for justice would reveal God's hand at work (Exodus 2:13-14).

His intentions were noble - to protect his people and uphold justice. But like many of us in our search for meaning and purpose and doing what we believe is right, Moses took matters into his own hands, veering away from God's heart and ways. As a result, he had to run for his life, leaving behind everyone and everything he knew.

He dwelt in the desert for forty years, embracing unfamiliar customs and seemingly losing touch with any semblance of identity and purpose. Yet a life-altering meeting with God at a burning bush and his acceptance of God's plan sparked a profound journey of self-discovery and a deeper understanding of God and His ways.

As time passed, Moses grew to be known as "a friend of God." The Bible describes how the Lord would speak to him face to face as if talking with a close friend (Exodus 33:11). Throughout it all, God's guiding hand was ever-present in Moses' life. Moses was always considered "beautiful to God." 

Much like Moses, we have encountered brokenness, sorrow, and rejection. We navigate a world that's becoming more hostile to our faith, wrestling with challenges such as fractured families, business setbacks, mistakes, and erroneous beliefs in our relationship with God and service to Him. Regardless of how the world may judge us as successful or failures, accepted or rejected, we are and have always been cherished and valued in the eyes of our heavenly Father.

Surrendering to Christ empowers us to heal from our past wounds and heartaches. It opens the door to a meaningful and passionate relationship with God. Knowing that our heavenly Father cherishes you and desires your companionship (John 15:15), regardless of your history or present situation, can profoundly enrich and change the trajectory of your life.

Many Blessings, BW

For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. 2 Corinthians 3:14

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Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

At the heart of our faith lies a profound paradox embodied in the person of Jesus Christ, vividly portrayed in Philippians 2:6-8, “He existed in the form of God, yet he gave no thought to seizing equality with God as his supreme prize. Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human! He humbled himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in his death—a criminal’s death by crucifixion!"  He emptied Himself, that is, refused the use of His divine attributes, that He might show us the meaning of absolute dependence on the Father.

Christ on the cross, crucified in weakness, emphasizes his apparent vulnerability. However, as we explore further, we discover a more profound truth that transcends appearances. In Revelation 5:5-6, John is urged to behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the triumphant conqueror, yet he sees “a Lamb standing as if slaughtered.” Here, in the throne room of Heaven, the paradox becomes apparent—the Lion and the Lamb are one, embodying both triumph and weakness.

The Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:13-15 unveils another facet of this paradox. Christ, though crucified, is portrayed as actively engaging in a cosmic battle. “Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were his!” Beyond passivity and victimhood, He is unveiled as a wise, powerful, and triumphant warrior, drawing the enemy into His snare; He defeated the forces of darkness by nailing them to the cross. The beauty is that our Lord’s victory is ours to share. By faith, we can apprehend and establish these blessings in our lives (Galatians 2:20).

This New Testament perspective challenges the typical portrayal of Christ as a weak, suffering servant. Instead, it reminds us of Christ’s words in John 10:18, “I surrender My own life, and no one has the power to take My life from Me. I have the authority to lay it down and the power to take it back again. This is the destiny Father has set before Me.”  Even in apparent weakness, Jesus Christ holds ultimate power.

While acknowledging weakness, we must not lose sight of the victory inherent in the cross. As Paul expresses in Philippians 4:12, “I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” We will experience seasons of both need and prosperity, weakness, and victory. Following Jesus Christ means embracing both aspects of this paradox—the humility of Christ’s suffering and the triumph of His resurrection.

The paradox of the cross reveals that true strength is found in embracing Christ in our weakness, and victory is attained through surrender (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). As we journey through life’s trials and triumphs, may we hold fast to the paradoxical truth of the cross—the ultimate symbol of God’s power and love.

Many Blessings, BW

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

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Dear People Who Keep Company with God,

In Psalm 63, David celebrates the joy he discovered through his fellowship with God while in the wilderness of Judah. His words present a challenging truth: even in the Promised Land, we all encounter wilderness moments. Life’s journey mirrors Judah’s diverse landscapes—filled with seasons of blessings, divine favor, and challenging trials. Psalm 63 provides precious insights for navigating the ebbs and flows of our lives as believers. David’s words encourage us to consider our present circumstances, reflect on our past, and anticipate the yet-to-be-written chapters of our future.

David found himself in difficult circumstances, thirsty and weary. Despite the challenging conditions, he clung to the assurance that God remained his unwavering source of strength. Charles Spurgeon beautifully captures this in his commentary on Psalm 63, emphasizing how David didn’t stop singing or lazily repeat Psalms meant for other occasions in the wilderness. Instead, he crafted worship that fit his circumstances, offering a genuine wilderness hymn to his God. If you’re seeking a meaningful life, remember that the present is where it unfolds. Discovering God in the present, regardless of circumstances, is vital to embracing God’s beauty for you now.

David also reminisces, fondly recalling, “I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory” (Psalm 63:2). In a spectacular and unforgettable moment, David experiences the beauty of the Lord and His mighty presence within the sanctuary. When facing the challenges of the wilderness, it’s helpful to revisit moments when you felt the Lord’s tangible closeness, where your worship and faith were vibrant. Those were undoubtedly real and impactful times, and your current circumstances don’t diminish the transformative work of the Holy Spirit during those defining moments. As you navigate your wilderness journey, let these memories fill you with strength and courage.

With unwavering faith, David shifts his focus to the future, expressing, “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer” (Psalm 63:3-4). This forward-looking hope is a powerful reminder that we are never abandoned, even in our wilderness moments. A brighter day is on the horizon. The Lord won’t leave you in a desolate and dry land without sustaining you through the refreshing waters of His grace. Your best days are not behind you. God’s heart is to satisfy your life abundantly, no matter the circumstances. So, as you embrace David’s example in Psalm 63, rest assured that you’ll receive the reward of the inheritance the Lord has for you.

Many Blessings, BW