THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

October 28, 2020

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

I think sometimes we read the bible without a true concept of time; especially in the Old Testament. In the space of one chapter, several years have passed, so we read what it going on without really understanding what the people were going through and realizing that they were having to go through some hard times for many, many years. It sometimes feels like this happened, then right after that something else took place, then another event, another king...... when really it may have happened over a long period of time.

For instance, the book of Genesis covers well over 2,000 years; some believe that it may actually be a lot longer. We can sit down and read that entire book in a few hours, so it's difficult for our minds to comprehend that in those 50 chapters cover hundreds and hundreds of years of history.

To put that into context, the United States has only been a country for 244 years and think of all the history that has happened during that timespan. There is no way that Genesis even begins to cover all that happened on earth during those 2,000-plus years! It's just the very basic highlights and the stories that God placed within its pages. It would have taken books and books written to tell all of the history of what all happened during those years; as well as the men and women who lived during that timeline that had encounters with God. Only a select group of people, whose lives played a vital role during their time and whose lives are connected to God's plan are included in the book. But there is so much more that could have been written!

I've been reading through 1 Kings for a while now. I love the stories in both 1 and 2 Kings about Elijah and Elisha! But even then, it's easy to read and not realize how much time is passing by and what the people during that time were dealing with.

Let me backtrack just a little. Solomon reigned as king over all Israel for 40 years. His son Rehoboam was then made king in his place. When the people approached him and said, "Your father made our yoke burdensome. No therefore lighten the harsh labor of your father and his heavy yoke which he laid upon us and we will serve you." Rehoboam rejected the wise counsel of the elders, instead consulting with the young men whom he had grown up with. His response was that he was going to make their yoke even heavier. This caused a division between Israel and Judah. Rehoboam reigned for 17 years in Jerusalem over Judah; while Jeroboam reigned over Israel. After Rehoboam's death, his son Abijam, became king and reigned for 3 years and his son, Asa, became king in his place.

In chapter 15, we read that King Asa ruled in Judah and did what was right in God's eyes in the beginning, then began to stray and his heart didn't stay committed to God.. He reigned for 41 years. He began his reign during the 20^th year of King Jeroboam's reign in Israel.

During the second year of Asa's reign, Jeroboam died and his son, Nadab, became king and only reigned for 2 years before being killed by Baasa, who became king in his place. Baasa reigned for 24 years, then died. His son, Elah become king and reigned for 2 years; then was killed by Zimri, who became king in his place. This happened during the 27^th year of Asa's reign of king of Judah. Zimri was only king for 7 days, before the people heard that he had killed the king and they proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel. Israel was divided with some following Omri and others following Tibni (after Zimri died), which caused them to be divided as a country. During the 31^st year of King Asa's reign in Judah, the people following Omri prevailed against those following Tibni, and Tibni died, leaving Omri as king. Omri then reigned for 12 years. He then died and his son, Ahab became king, during the 38^th year of Asa's reign.

Each of these kings listed did evil in the sight of God and caused the nation of Israel to fall into great sin. In fact, it seems as if each king was worse and did more evil than the king that reigned before them. But things weren't much better in Judah. When we look at the number of years that these evil, wicked kings reigned, it reminds us that during this time the only thing most people knew were idol worship and wickedness and all forms of ungodliness. This went on for years and years and years.

Yet during this time, there were a remnant of godly people who held onto their faith. Even though the leaders were wicked and caused the nation to sin, and evil was all around them, God raised up prophets to speak on His behalf.

In chapter 13, a man of God came from Judah to Bethel with the word of the Lord for King Jeroboam. The man gave the message and said, "This is the sign that the Lord has spoken; the altar is about to be split apart and the fat ashes on it will be poured out."

The king heard the word from the Lord and stretched out his hand from the altar saying, "Seize him!" But the hand that he stretched out against the man of God withered and he could not even draw it back to himself. The altar split apart and the fat ashes poured out from the altar, as the man of God had said.

The king said, "Please seek the face of the Lord your God, and pray for me, so my hand may be restored to me." So the man of God sought the face of the Lord and the king's hand was restored to him, becoming as it had been before.

As you continue reading the story, you see that there was also other prophets living during that time. In the following chapter, King Jeroboam's son became very sick and his sent his wife to Shiloh to the home of a prophet to find out what would happen to his boy. The prophet spoke that due to the king's great sin and making himself other gods, that not only would his son die, but everyone associated with the house of Jeroboam.

Then we finally get to Ahab, and the prophet Elijah shows up. We see many miracles of God occur during Elijah's ministry. During a time when Elijah felt all alone, as if he were the only one left in all of of Israel who had not forsaken God's covenant and had not worshipped idols. God told him, "I have preserved seven thousand in Israel whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him."

I guess the point that I want to make today is that often we feel like if something bad happens and lasts and lasts for a while, then we are being persecuted and that those who are sinful are more in number than the godly. We enjoy reading about the miracles and God's intervention and all of the wonderful events in the bible; without taking into account of what was going on in their nation and in the world and in their lives during that period of time. We focus on the miracle and blessing, without looking at what they were struggling with and what else was taking place. When we look at the circumstances, I think we better understand the miracle and God's intervention. It's not only a "good testimony" and story, but we see God do what man cannot do and see the impossible accomplished.

It had to have been incredibly difficult to hold fast to faith and not forsake God's covenant when seemingly everyone else in your hometown has latched onto evil practices and are worshipping idols. When the king is doing evil and encouraging the people to do likewise, it had to have been heartbreaking to see family, friends and neighbors forsaking God and what they had been taught from their ancestors; bringing idols into their homes and visiting the various temples and dedicated sites of all the various false gods. I'm sure that they endured persecution from their families and others in their villages or cities. Perhaps they often felt as if they were the only righteous ones left on earth who had not forsaken God and His covenant. This wasn't just a few years of having a wicked king who engaged in evil activities reign over your nation; but it was many, many years of having king after king after king, that each one did more evil than the one before them. Occasionally, there were men like Asa who were appointed as king that started out following God and endeavoring to do what was right, but then as time went by they would allow sin to overtake them and become involved in evil.

They dealt with evil that none of us have ever known. We have other believers that we can worship with and pray with and encourage. We readily have the word of God available to read. Even when things are tough and sinful activities and mindsets are getting out of control, we all have other men and women of God that we can fellowship with.

The number of years that we live on earth is just a speck of sand compared to eternity. We like to idolize the blessings and answered prayers of others, without considering the price that they had to pay to receive the miracle that they received.

Elijah didn't experience miracles every day of his life! He had highs and lows and struggles and miraculous events. Elijah shows up by declaring that there is going to be a famine in Israel. God led him to a brook where he had water to drink, and He commanded the ravens to feed him. That was great until the brook dried up. Then God directed him to the home of a widow to provide for him. During his time there, God kept flour in the jar and oil in her jug so that they had bread to eat. The ladies son dies, then Elijah prays and he comes back to life. Elijah then confronts King Ahab and they meet on Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal. Elijah asks the people of Israel, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is, follow him." They build two altars, one as a sacrifice to Baal and one as a sacrifice to God. Of course, nothing happened to Baal's sacrifice, no matter how his prophets begged and pleaded. Elijah said a prayer and the sacrifice to God was consumed. The famine ends and rain comes. But Queen Jezebel is angry and wants Elijah to be killed. Elijah runs away to hide and is greatly discouraged. He felt as if he were all alone and the only existing prophet left in all of Israel. God speaks to him in a still small voice. Then He tells Elijah that he is not alone, but there are 7,000 other prophets left in Israel. This all covered the space of a few years of his life. It didn't all take place within the period of days or even a few weeks.

We all have answered prayers and experience God's blessings; but don't become discouraged if there are periods of time when we go through things that are not fun or seem wearisome. Throughout it all, God is still God and is watching over us and directing our steps. Perhaps He is teaching us to enjoy the process of spiritual growth, even when it seems as if nothing is happening or not happening as quickly as we would like. God is often at work and teaching us, even when we don't see it or even sense it or feel it. He is directing out steps, even in the most mundane of days. So don't get caught up in numbers..... how many days or years you've been praying for something in particular, or how long it's been since you've been used of God, or how long since you've experienced a miracle. Don't lose heart or become discouraged! Don't even compare your life to that of someone else, who may seem more blessed or who experiences more answered prayer, for you don't know what they may be going through that you don't see. God is God and is always at work in our lives!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

The Bible doesn't really say how often Elijah questioned whether he was really hearing from God, or wondered if he had misunderstood where he was supposed to go and do. Getting fed by ravens is a good confirmation. And the miracle of the flour and oil never running out is a good confirmation. If he ever started to wonder if God was really with him, he could see confirmations frequently. I'm guessing later, when he had proven God's power to all the Baal worshipers, he didn't experience any confirmations for a few days. And when he heard that Jezebel wanted him killed, he panicked.

It seems crazy that he could panic so quickly in a short time after seeing God's power so clearly. He had been used to confirmations every day, maybe even every hour. It only took a few days (maybe months) for him to forget.

It's hard to think we could forget God's faithfulness to us that quickly. But we do. I know I've had times that I've started to wonder if the promises God has made for me and my family were real. I wonder if I might have misunderstood, or if I was just hoping for the answer I wanted. But God has worked miracles in my life, and in or church, and in our family. I don't want to forget that so easily.

ON THE MENEWE:

Creamy Tuscan Ravioli Soup

In a large stock pot, brown sausage until no longer pink; drain. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in basil and oregano.

Add crushed tomatoes and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add ravioli and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until ravioli is just tender. Stir in chopped spinach and cook for a few minutes more, until spinach is wilted.

Slowly stir in half and half. Return soup to a simmer and add Parmesan cheese.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste (if needed). If desired, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese before serving.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

As a kid, I loved it anytime there was even a slim chance of ice or snow. Why?! Because it meant that we had a chance of school being cancelled and I'd get a day at home! For some reason (or maybe it's just my memory), it seems as if we had a lot more snow back in those days, and not nearly as much ice. I loved snow days! It meant getting to stay home and read a book, mama cooking something good to eat, making snow ice cream, sitting by the wood stove to keep warm, and the family being home together.

Now, as an adult, I have a whole other viewpoint of ice and snow! I dislike ice, but do enjoy an occasional snow day, although we've had very few in the past several years. I like looking out the window and watching the snow falling and how clean and pristine it looks as it covers the ground. But I sure don't want to drive on it or have to go anywhere when there's a possibility of slick roads. But if I can stay home and read a book..... I'm all for it from time to time!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Don't mix bad words with your bad moods.

You'll have many opportunities to change a mood,

but you'll never get the opportunity to replace the words you spoke. - TobyMac

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org