June 18
1 Kings 19:1-21 | PS 136:1-26 | Prov 17:14-15 | Acts 12:1-23
Is there a perfect church? No! Are the people who gather anywhere perfect? No! But we read in Hebrews 10:25, "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." But many have indeed chosen to neglect gathering with others. This has accelerated since the pandemic and nothing could make our enemy, Satan, happier. Separated we are easily picked apart, while together we can encourage one another. People can now shop for the pastor of their choice on line, watching one podcast after another, whenever they want. It all seems so convenient, but it is a trap. Though there is nothing wrong with watching various messages from around the country instead of watching movies and TV, this should never be an alternative to real fellowship with real people. Monks in monasteries had it wrong. We are to gather, be encouraged, help one another and then go into our respective mission fields. Working from home has become the norm, but realize this has only fueled increased isolation. How are we to influence the world in the name of Jesus when we spend all week long alone, home in our pajamas. Everything has increased our isolation: shopping online instead of going to the mall, drive-up windows instead of going into the establishment to order, separation of families across the globe, etc. So many seeming conveniences have led to the increasingly isolated existences we have allowed ourselves to be immersed in.
Elijah was indeed a faithful servant. When threatened by Queen Jezebel in 1 Kings 19:2, Elijah fled. Prior to this interaction he had spent much time alone. Now alone again, this time on Mount Sinai, he seeks the Lord. He heard the Lord in a gentle whisper (19:12). He voiced his concerns to the Lord in 19:15, "He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” He was correct in much of his analysis, but we read in 19:18, " Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” There were 7000 that Elijah was unaware of. He was then told to go back and was given a number of tasks by the Lord. We see the importance of gathering when we read in Acts 12:12, "So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying." Though the apostle James was just killed, and Peter was imprisoned, the believers saw the importance of gathering, not isolating.
Now Elijah certainly had his reasons: he was often led by the Lord and he spent much time hiding from the murderous eyes of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. But how about you? Why are you hiding? Now some due to health reasons are confined to their homes and must follow remotely. But this is certainly the minority. Find a church where the word is spoken forth honestly by a pastor or priest who is a good and faithful shepherd. There will always be difficulties when gathering as some will rub you the wrong way. But did you ever consider perhaps that is why we are supposed to be there. We need to smooth out each other’s rough patches as we fellowship. It is also not always what we get from gathering, but what we offer and give. With the Holy Spirit dwelt within us believers we are not to keep what He has planned for us all to ourselves. God desires to bless us, and through us to bless others. But there can only be others if we allow ourselves to mingle with others.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: