The Big Picture

His name was Elijah. He lived during the height of Israel's rebellion against God, and under the reign of the man who introduced the worship of Baal to the people of Judah. (The same king that married Jezebel, a name that has been synonomous with evil to this day.) Everything about Elijah, even the meaning of his name -“My God is Yahweh,”- was a strong statement of defiance against these rulers who had stolen the hearts of the very people Yahweh had delivered from Egypt a few hundred years earlier.

I recently jumped into the middle of a Bible Study with some friends who are reading through the whole Bible together, beginning in Genesis and working their way through one book at a time. I came in around 1 Samuel, not sure what to expect. It's been in familiar teritory for the most part. I've heard these stories since I was a kid. I confess, on my own I rarely choose to spend serious time in the Old Testament, usually preffering to get my “quick fix” in the New Testament, Psalms, or Proverbs. (Ouch, revealing how shallow I really am at times.) But tonight, I feel like I am slowly beginning to understand the bigger picture.

Of course, the New Testament contains so many incredible truths that form the cornerstone of our faith. If it weren't for the New Testament, I would still be without hope and without God in this world. But when I treat it as part of a whole and not just an isolated book, it is even more incredible.

As I reflected on our reading tonight, I was struck by several things. Elijah's life, and of course his most famous showdown with the 450 prophets of Baal (check it out, 1 Kings 18:20-45,) I was struck by the fact that this is not just a “cool Bible story” about a “cool Bible character” that we should try to be like. (Often how I approach my own time in the Word I think.) It is so much bigger than that. Everything about Elijah's life was evidence that not only, “my God is Yahweh,” but, “Yahweh is God.”

In spite of the fact that weather was supposedly his specialty, Baal clearly did not bring an end to the famine in the land. He couldn't make it rain either. Yet God (Yahweh) instructed ravens to feed Elijah, and opened or closed the floodgates of heaven when he prayed. But this story is not really about this amazing man of God, who actually runs for his life a short time after his victory over the false prophets. This story is one more thread of the intricate and beautifull design that makes up the masterpiece of God's Word, all of which continually declares the same message,

“Yahweh is God.”

Over and over again the author of 1 Kings records promises made by God, either for gracious blessing (which no one really deserved) or for just punishment. The phrase, “according to the word of the Lord,” occurs frequently in this book, connecting events to earlier promises made by God as they occur. The more you read, the more you realize, this God is for real. The things that He is communicating, through whoever His spokesperson is at that point in history, are being fulfilled over and over.

And this is just what I've noticed in one or two “chapters” of this ongoing story. The more I read, the more I stand in awe of the intricacy of the bigger picture. I am frustrated with my words tonight because I feel like they aren't really communicating what is so excitng to me.

I guess what I'm really excited about is that I feel like I had one of those rare moments tonight when I was able to see God's Word with fresh eyes. I was able to see it for what it really is, and I am beginning to realize how those moments change me. It is as if I get a glimpse of God's face when I step back long enough to really reflect on what the text says about Him and how he has been working from eternity past, rather than making everything about me. I suppose that's really a simple idea... but somehow it seemed revolutionary to me tonight. Tonight I am more aware that His wisdom, grace, love, and power ooze from every page in this incredible book. And it all builds to one glorious crescendo, “But now, a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:21-24.

I feel like I just tried to describe what it feels like to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon, or jump out of an airplane at 10,000 feet, or hold your newborn child in your arms. There are some things you just have to experience to understand. This is one of them. Don't take my words for it. Read it yourself... even if you've read it before. Try grabbing a friend and reading through it together, discussing it and reading it as if for the first time. Take a chance. You may be surprised what you find.

Lord, may we continue on this journey one step at a time, exploring new and unknown territory, expanding the reservoirs of our faith, and widening our soul to soak in more of this incredible grace: that we may truly know You... and that knowing You our lives would never be the same.

“The unfolding of your word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple,” Psalm 119:130

“Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.” Psalm 119:140