Day 96 The Next Thing

 

4/6/2026

"Never doubt in the dark what God 

told you in the light."

Daily Walk

 

As the end of day approaches I find myself exhausted and lost in thought. Now that Easter has passed - Resurrection Sunday - and Passover continues, the counting of the Omer (a sheaf of grain) began the second day of Passover which counts down the days before Shavuot (the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai), and for Christians it counts to Pentecost which is 50 days after the Resurrection of Christ. Does that sound confusing, or is it me? It is becoming increasingly difficult to live in both worlds. And yet, we should understand times and seasons, and one day, our calendar will be the same as the Jewish calendar, as it was meant to be. I will never understand how things became so complicated, but I imagine it is the same answer. Man wants to do things his way and not God's, so new rules. I am grateful that our observances crossed over so nicely this year. One day when Jesus returns, then all of this confusion will disappear. For now I remind myself that we know in part, and we see in part according to 1 Corinthians 13:9.

Today I read about the prophet Elijah and his showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. There had been no rain in Israel because of the sinful acts of King Ahab and his evil Queen Jezebel. Elijah told Ahab to have all the people and the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Ashterah, who were supported by Jezebel, join him on Mount Carmel to determine whose god was truly God. The story of Elisha is found in 1 Kings 17-19 when he shows up and prophesies there will be no rain until he said so. It ended up being a drought for three years, but finally Elijah meets with Ahab on Mount Carmel to have a show down. The story is even amusing in how Elijah baited the false prophets as they danced, cut themselves, and exhausted themselves all day trying to get Baal to respond. Finally, it was Elijah's turn to call on His God. In a mighty display of power, God burned up the water soaked offering from the altar, leaving no doubt that Jehovah is God. After that Elijah asked the people to choose whom they would serve, and those who did not accept God were killed, along with all the prophets of Baal. Elijah had drawn a line in the sand.

What is interesting is that after this mighty display of God's power in using Elijah to do these things, Jezebel became angry and sent men out to hunt Elijah down to kill him, so Elijah became afraid. He  retreated to the wilderness where an angel saw to his needs and sent him on his 40 day trek to the mountains to seek God. When God asked Elijah why he was there, Elijah told God that all the prophets were dead, and He was the last one. God responded to Elijah first in a powerful display of wind and earthquakes, then in a still, small voice. God wasn't angry with him, but He did let Elijah know that he was not the only prophet left who had not bowed his knee to Baal. Instead God gave Elijah instructions which he carried out. 

Elijah is not the only example in the Bible of a prophet or man of God who has encountered times of discouragement, and that serve as examples to us, as we will become discouraged at times. I have many promises God has given me, in His word and otherwise, and often when I think about my age, I become frustrated, because I am not keeping my focus on Him. Numerous times I have mentioned my battle with age when it comes to visions and death to visions. Thinking about the Resurrection of Christ and the miracle of new life in Him, makes me so anxious to step out in faith and get things done. But, right now I have huge problem, my health is being attacked, and it is making it hard to do the next thing on some days. Today was a good day, and I was able to get the bushes cut down. Now I have to muster the strength to complete the job and dispose of the branches and vines. There's always something new that has to be done when one owns a house. It makes me wonder why I put myself in this predicament in the first place, but the home will be for my son, and it's a place where others can come for support. Perhaps it will one expand into my Home for Misfit Toys. Sometimes I wonder if I heard God's voice clearly about the move back to Virginia. I doubt myself often at times, but I don't want to return to life in the rabbit hole. I simply want to complete my purpose. 

Now as night has fallen, and everyone seems to be asleep in this neighborhood except me, I imagine I should call it a night myself. I'm not certain what tomorrow will bring, and that is not a huge concern for me. I'm getting good at take one step at a time and waiting for the revelation to come. Or at least I hope so. I have more on my heart, but I'll leave it at that. Be encouraged and strengthened by the Word of God today. God always keeps His promises. Selah.