“I AM the Alpha and the Omega,” says the LORD God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8.

“…that I may know Him…” Philippians 3:10. “Jesus, knowing…that He had come from God and was going to God…took a towel…and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” John 13:3-5.

The LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11-13.

And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 84: They pierced His hands and His feet. Psalm 22:16: For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed Me; they pierced my hands and my feet. And, John 19:34-37; 20:27: But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” Then He said to Thomas “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Reading the 3rd Scripture verse above about Elijah, how can we not marvel at all he experienced? After his powerful witness for God to Israel, watching the 450 priests of the false god Baal, and then seeing the power of God to take all of the sacrifice and altar and wood and water so specifically; it seemed fitting after that that Elijah then ran away into the wilderness because of the turmoil of everything overwhelming and raging in Elijah. God answered his prayer powerfully. That wasn’t the problem. The powerful and evil king and queen more than ever want him dead. The raging wind, the powerful earthquake, the roaring fire must have felt like everything Elijah himself was experiencing within. And then the sound of a gentle blowing, like a whisper asking him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” If I had lived when Elijah lived, and had seen such overt idolatry and evil, I would have run away too. But we are living in a world fallen and the evil today is just as overt and the confusions of so many lies obscures everything so that we think this fallen life is normal. We may not like it but we know there is corruption in all levels, violence, hate, war, terrorism, poverty, trafficking of human lives, violent drug cartels, gambling destroying the security of families, addictions of every kind, greed and lies. Elijah ran away from everything even though Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit, answered his prayer powerfully on that mountain. It was His gentle whisper that finally stopped Elijah. God never left Elijah. And before Jesus left this world knowing all that would be done to Him and the confusions and fears His disciples would experience, He washed His disciples feet. God is not like us. He IS Love. When I was a young child, I knew I wanted to live with God. I can’t tell you why. I don’t remember why, just that I loved Him and was excited to go live with Him now! I want to return to my child’s heart knowing and loving and trusting God. I want to live in this world of overt evil wearing down my soul – and listen to God’s love speaking to my spirit crying out for His holiness, His righteousness, His truth for all of us, His children all. It is God’s own Love radiating Light and Joy and Hope that sustains me, and I am so very grateful for all that Creator God IS and does. I gladly take His hand and follow Him!

***BLESS THE LORD Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O My soul, and forget not all His benefits. You forgive my iniquity and heal my diseases; You redeem my life from the pit and crown me with steadfast love and mercy. You satisfy me with good so that my strength is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. You will not always accuse, nor will You remain angry forever. You do not deal with us as our sins deserve; for as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Your steadfast love toward those who fear You. As far as the east is from the west, so far do You remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him. For You know our frame; You remember that we are dust. Our days are like grass; we flourish like a flower of the field, for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place is no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and commandments. You, O LORD, have established Your throne in the heavens, and Your kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you His angels, His hosts, His ministers who do His will. Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! Psalm 103:1-22 (ESV). Adapted.***