Proclaiming the Word

In our text from Romans Paul is still working out his concern about how God’s promise to the Jews fits in with the new reality of Jesus. Remember that he is so concerned about them he told us that, if he could, he would give up his salvation for them. (A long cry from some who claim to be Christian today). In this, his attempt at a solution for his dilemma, he quotes Deuteronomy, claiming they are looking for God in all the wrong places. You do not need to go up into heaven or down into sheol – to scour the world – to find God, Jesus is present now in their lives wherever they may be.

But this is an old story. People of every time and place have looked for God in the wrong places. Elijah, in our text from First Kings, had to learn it. If you remember the story, Elijah has just demonstrated the power of God by challenging the priest of Baal to a contest. Both built an altar, placed a sacrifice upon it, and prayed to their god to light the sacrifice. Elijah allowed the priest of Baal to go first and gave them plenty of time. While their altar remained unignited, Elijah had his soaked with water, prayed to God, and God brought fire to the altar consuming not only the sacrifice but the altar as well. In the moment of ecstasy, Elijah slew all the priests of Baal and now was on the run for fear of his life. He had already forgotten God’s act at the altar and took the situation in his own hands. Although the story is a bit confusing, we find Elijah hiding in a cave when the Word of God comes to him with the instruction to go outside and stand before the Lord for the Lord is about to pass by. And there is great turmoil in wind, quake, and fire. But the Lord was not in them. Nor was the Lord in the turmoil of Elijah’s heart. The Lord was in the sheer silence. The silence of peace that passes all understanding.

Although, I suppose that message is one that we ourselves need to hear. It is usual for us to look for God when chaos surrounds us. But, when it comes, we miss it because we expect God to come in grand style and slay all that besets us. Sometimes it is not comfort or peace that we are looking for. Instead, it is revenge or pay-back. One of Elijah’s faults here, I believe, is that he thought he could solve his problem on his own. It may well have been that the slaying of the priests of Baal was something he did on his own and not in answer to God’s call. The fact that he fled after the act may indicate that God did not desire that he slay the priests thus believing God would not protect him.

I am not telling you something that you do not know yourself. When we forget God and attempt to solve our problems on our own we miss the call of God. That may be because we are only looking out for ourselves. We forget that God has called us into community and made us part of God’s own family. We desire things for ourselves and do not share our gifts with others. We get wrapped up into our own selfish desires. That is why Paul seems to always return to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus. The sharing of God’s gifts with others. In some places he comes very close to telling us that we are to believe for those who do not.

That is your calling as well. You have been called out of the bondage to sin and death, made whole in the waters of Baptism, and fed at this table for a purpose. That purpose is to be a light unto others so they may see God’s love in Christ Jesus through your word and deed. And if you have trouble finding the words and deeds listen closely. God is speaking to you out of the everyday events that swirl around you. It may not be a dramatic tumultuous event. God just may be speaking to you out of the sheer silence of your life. Pray that whenever God calls you will be able to hear over the distractions and noise of the world.