1 Kings 19:11–21
Luke 5:1–11
In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
For a Christian, God’s child, there are severe temptations to despair and give up hope when we see the things going on around us in the world and our own country. There is sickness, injuries, death, war, political nonsense, rampant immorality, financial anxieties, threats from the weather, threats of terrorist attacks, threats from North Korea. All these things are going on around us every minute of every day.
For a Christian, God’s child, we are tempted to despair when we look in our own homes. Children rebel against parents, they question the Christian faith (and it’s okay to ask questions if you want to learn), but they even leave the faith. Then there are addictions and abuses. Husbands take their wives for granted and don’t love them as Christ loved the Church, wives despise and nag their husbands, both husbands and wives argue and say hurtful things to one another. There are divorces. There is unhappiness. And many of these things happen in the homes of faithful, pious, practicing Christians—in Lutheran homes.
For a Christian, God’s child, there are temptations to despair if we look into our own hearts. We lust after people that don’t belong to us. We’re greedy for things we don’t have, and we’re discontent with what we do have. We are easily jealous, easily angered, we feel lonely or hopeless. And the worst thing about this is that our despair usually comes in some form of losing hope in God, forgetting what God says about us and this world, and what God promises.
But in the midst of all this you still come to church. In fact, whether you realize it or not, that’s probably WHY you come to church. Your environment, your families, your bodies, your feelings, your emotions, and your reason all deceive you, so you must hear the Word of your Lord over and over again, reiterating the promises He has made from the beginning, in every nation, and in every language.
I say that Christians, God’s children, are the ones tempted to despair because of all these evil things, because the pagans, the atheists, the agnostics, the secular, and the people who have no preference in organized religion—they have made peace with this world (or if not peace, then at least a truce). They don’t have the same struggles that you have. They have given in to the philosophy of the day. They have embraced the culture. They have embraced the immorality. Or they’ve bought the lie that it doesn’t matter how you live as long as you’re mostly nice. They have redefined what is good and what is desirable. These are fellow Americans, our neighbors, our co-workers, our employers, those we are around every day, and those within our own families. We are bombarded with the message of tolerance and compromise, and worldly peace at all costs.
We could look at any one of the patriarchs in Genesis, or the prophets or priests in the Old Testament, to see how we are not alone in this temptation to despair—not alone in being surrounded by a hostile world and hostile people—so this morning we heard about Elijah. And it’s a good thing to hear from the Biblical examples. We see how they were real people with real sins and real doubts. We are not the first people to go through these things. But we also see how God deals with His children, His elect—Christians. We see God’s character through the Biblical accounts, and we can regain hope in His promises.
Elijah battled with powerful kings, hundreds of false prophets, and communicated directly with God. He saw incredible signs and wonders, and he was an instrument of God for mighty miracles. Think of the drought he brought upon Israel by his prayer, the food he provided for the widow of Zarephath, and how he raised her son from the dead, or how he called down fire from heaven, and slew 450 prophets of the false god Baal.
Yet, in our reading today, we see him as a man like any of us. He is whining and complaining. He’s disappointed in himself and everyone around him. He cries out to God, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (1 Kings 19:14).
And how does the Lord answer? Well, basically, he reminds Elijah that God’s plan is bigger than him. Elijah is not the center of the world, but God still loves him and will take care of him and the generations after him. God says, “Go, return on your way. Go anoint kings, go anoint the prophet to succeed you. I, the Lord, was in control before you were even conceived and I will be in control long after you’re gone. This should give you hope. I will not leave you alone. And even now, you’re not as alone as you feel. There are others in My household who are faithful. It’s going to be ok.”
These words are also for you this morning. God is in control. He is the Creator. He controls the sea, the animals, the winds, the earthquakes, the floods, the droughts, and the fires. He controls the presidents, the dictators, the generals, the armies, even the terrorists. He was in control long before your grandparents had their day and He will be in control long after we have been replaced by other generations. He is the Creator and sustainer of all that exists.
But even more than that, even more marvelous: He is the Savior. The God of heaven and earth is also your Lord in the flesh. Not only does He create all these things, His redemption is for all who believe. He came to earth for you, born of the Virgin, suffered under Pontius Pilot, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He ascended into Heaven to open a way for you. He has promised to be with you always, and has promised to return when the full number of His elect is complete.
You are not the only one, but He loves you as if you were. He never leaves you, and in every temptation He provides the way out. He never leaves you without a word, a promise. He speaks to you through the Holy Scriptures. He cleanses you in Holy Baptism. He feeds you in the Holy Communion. He continues to call pastors to be fishers of men so that His Church is never without spokesmen, theologians, and preachers. You are never left without His Word.
In our Introit Psalm this morning, King David gives us great words of hope: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (Psalm 27:1 & 14). So, when the world around you, the stress inside your home, or the doubts inside your mind and heart are all warring against you, listen to your Lord Jesus, who never departs from you. No matter how much you think or feel that He has, He never departs from you. Your Lord has overcome all these evil things. He has overcome the world. He has overcome your accuser, the devil. He has overcome your sin.
And He has placed you in this community, this Church, this family, among these brothers and sisters in Christ for your mutual support, for nourishing you and sustaining you while you live in this world. Go, return on your way, because your God goes with you. Do not be afraid.
In the Holy + Name of Jesus. Amen.
Edited from Rev. Michael Frese, Redeemer, Fort Wayne, Trinity 5, 2017.
