"Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen."

Whether a resounding cry, or a somber moment, we cannot know the range of emotions and questions, thoughts and wonder that filled the hearts and minds of those worshippers that early morn. It would take a while as the fact of the resurrected Lord would permeate those who sought Him. The words He shared of His crucifixion and resurrection would be called to remembrance, and would become the basis of new hope for all believers, for all time.

Pastor Russell

"Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar."

This psalm chanted by the priests along with several others comprise the Hallel psalms, or psalms of praise, particularly sang during the Passover. Prophetic as it announced the coming of the Lamb of God and His sacrifice once for all. A somber occasion for the child of God, as we remember His death and sacrifice for us, but ultimately, we rejoice at His resurrection and life He gives to us. We sing from this same psalm: "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, hosana, hosana", "this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it", "open up the gates of righteousness, and I shall enter in", "give thanks to the Lord, His love endures forever", "the Lord is my strength and my song, whom shall I fear". Remember what He has done for us, and rejoice.

Pastor Russell

"they were bringing vessels to her and she poured."

The life and times of Elisha were peppered with miracle after miracle. From the pouring of oil from vessel to vessel for the prophet's widow, to the gift of a son to the childless woman, then raising him from the dead as he died at an untimely death, the Lord's work through the man of God became evident to all who saw. While we might be able to duplicate the same miracles, the Lord allows us to be a part where we accomplish much the same things. As we pray and support ministries like the River, we see God moving as He pours and pours out blessings spiritual and physical into the heart and lives of many. As we pray and support, we see nations and people groups around the world being affected by the good news of Jesus Christ. God then as He is now continuing to move in His marvelous way through His people.

Pastor Russell

"Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place, and offered him as a burnt offering on the wall. And there came great wrath against Israel, and they departed from him and returned to their own land."

The king of Moab, in his desperation, would offer up his son to the pagan gods, yet to no avail. His army was soundly defeated, the cities destroyed, the land spoiled and water sources stopped up. Yet God displays His grace and mercy in pulling out the army of Israel from the fray. God soundly defeated the foe, yet was not willing to utterly destroy. It shows His long suffering for those who have even a glimmer of hope in Him.

Pastor Russell

"I will not leave you....." rang the words of the young man of God to Elijah. Three times he echoed the same sentiment with resolve in his heart. So pronounced was his devotion to his master Elijah, it dregs up remembrance of the Lord's deep devotion to His children. In Hebrews, God's word reminds us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) For us, we become the beneficiaries of His love and devotion for us. At times, we may feel so separated, and alienated because of sin, undeserving, yet His promise remains for us. He is, our faithful Lord who will not leave us.

Pastor Russell

"What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you? And they answered him, "He was a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins." And he said, "It is Elijah the Tisbite."

Elijah's identity was ascertained by his physical appearance and his dress. But even more so, he was one who would unabashedly speak of the truth of the word of God. His appearance was second only to God who he represented, and the king was not pleased that his words did not conform to his desired response. Our outward appearance may give off a hint of the Holy Spirit, but surely, it's our words that reveal God's inward workings in and through us. 

Pastor Russell

"And I alone am left; and they seek my life to take it away. And the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus,"

A good long period of ministry, along with witnessing many of God's miracles had now come to an abrupt halt. Shocked into a state of fear and dismay, the prophet of God was now paralyzed, looking at his situation. Gently urged, the command now was, to move on,  move on in faith, move trusting, not looking at his own situation, but in the Lord's plans and purposes. We like Elijah at times may be stymied to a place of discouragement, but note, that the Lord would have us go on in Him, in all that He has.

Pastor Russell

'Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struct the king of Israel in the joint of his armor.'

What are the odds, or the chances that some un-named warrior would simply by chance, draw his bow and let a missile fly and strike the king in a joint of his armor? Killing him. You see the Lord had provided so many opportunities for Ahab to relent and change directions, he continued in his idolatry, and now plotted to have the king of Judah killed by his enemy. Like those who desire the utter destruction of the Jews, a time is coming of reckoning, yet the Lord in His love and faithfulness continues to reach out, offering salvation to all who would receive Him.

Pastor Russell

"And the Lord said. 'Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' "Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord and said, 'I will entice him.'

The long downward spiral of Ahab seemed long and protracted, almost painful to the reader of this portion of the bible. Yet we've seen God's faithfulness as He gives Ahab ample opportunity to embrace the Lord's grace and mercy, but he wouldn't open his heart to the Lord. He becomes a representative of many in the world today, welcoming Gods help, but refusing to go all in with the Him. Choosing instead to "have it their way", they face an uncertain future outside of the love of Christ. Continue to share and to pray for those around you.

Pastor Russell

Ahab said, "And I will let you go with this covenant." So he made a covenant and let him go.

This wicked king Ahab not only worshiped false gods, and persecuted God's people, but even given the opportunity would not seek the counsel of the True God. So sure, of himself, he would not give the Lord a second thought or consideration in making this momentous decision regarding the enemy of God's people. We're told here, as a matter of fact, that he made a peace treaty and let the culprit go. This would come back to haunt him we'll see further on in the chapter. So, it becomes a lesson to us, as in all things, we give God a say in our life decisions.

Pastor Russell

"Yet I will leave 7000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that have not kissed him."

At times living in this world, we may feel surrounded, even overwhelmed by the worldliness of those around us. At work, in the marketplace, at play, in our neighborhoods, on our job sites, unless we live in a bubble, we are surely it seems surrounded by those who don't know the Lord. Even as Elijah felt all alone, we too at times outside of church may seem inundated by a sea of those who worship other gods. God's answer to Elijah was "I have a remnant", and it's the same for us. He has and never will leave us alone, there's always those like-minded believers, as we seek Him, He will reveal to us our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Pastor Russell

"And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there."

We see Elijah, after a tremendous victory over the enemies of the Lord, now threatened by the wicked Jezebel, stricken with fear and panic, running, leaving all behind. At a point, fear overcame faith in God for Elijah. For us, we too at times suffer a point where we fail to trust the Lord through the difficulty. When those times come, running to Him is our best choice, giving Him all the fear and turmoil, we may be suffering through. The place Beersheba, or well of oath, may have been a wellspring of God's faithful word for his fear-filled child.

Pastor Russell