I can't believe it

          When God put this on my heart, I believe we say I Can’t Believe It for two reasons. The first reason is we can’t believe an awful thing happened. The second reason we can’t believe it is when something good happened. This leads me to think we allow ourselves to be so oppressed we reduce the God appointed happiness in our lives. To clarify we are discussing the majesty of God and his desire to interact with us. 

            I read a news article where a mother died after crashing her car through a guardrail of a bridge. Her car dropped into a river and was partially submerged in the icy cold water. In her car was her 18 month old child. This child sat in the car for 14 hours before being discovered and pulled out. To make it more incredible, the car was in the river upside down. Fishermen discovered the car and the child was pulled from it. Rescuers performed CPR on her and they are not sure how she could have possibly survived hanging upside down with her head just above the water.  

            Another recent article discussed the blazing fire near Breckenridge Colorado. This wildfire contributed to several hundred homes being evacuated. The fire was burning fast toward the town of Breckenridge. Suddenly there was a wind shift which sent the fire in another direction preserving the town. The fire chief was quoted thanking the winds for moving the fire. It reminds me of Matthew 8:27 (KJV) where the bible says even the wind and the sea obey him.

            We often times hear of great miracles, but I wonder how often we recognize the everyday miracles happening in our own lives. At Gods hand I’m sure we have endured many near misses. Sometimes in life we get the rain, sometimes the paycheck and sometimes the trouble. Are we taking the time to remember the things God is doing in our lives?
            Jesus seldom answered questions directly. Instead he often times spoke in parables. These parables are fluid and very much applicable today. Jesus’ parables meet all circumstances and provide insight to various situations. Parables are gifts to us much like spiritual gifts.   

            Elijah was a very prominent prophet. God spoke to him in 1 Kings Chapter 17. Elijah was commanded to move to the Kerith Ravine. God told Elijah there was going to be a famine and he could live at Kerith where God would have the raven’s feed him and he could drink from the brook. As scary as it was, Elijah obeyed God. I can only imagine the thoughts going through his mind as he was traveling. We all trust God, but when it comes down to it, many times there is a lot of apprehension in that trust.

            After Elijah had been in Kerith awhile the brook finally dried up. If it would have been me, right then and there I probably would have been questioning whether or not God actually called me to Kerith and I would have been more stressed about where I needed to go instead of where I had been and what I needed to do now. God spoke to Elijah and told him to move to Zarephath where he would find a widow to feed him.

            Elijah then went to Zarephath where he found the widow. He told her he was to stay with her. She explained she didn’t have much food. Nonetheless he told her if she would take care of him, she would not run out of food. Wouldn’t you know once again God miraculously fed the woman, Elijah and her son. The story doesn’t just end with a happily ever after clause. Instead, the son dies. This widow doesn’t take the time to thank Elijah for blessing them so the food didn’t run out. Instead she begins the blaming game and questioning why he came to her in the first place.

            Elijah was less worried. He took this child up to his room, laid him on his bed and then prayed. His prayer wasn’t just a prayer of healing full of faith. Instead the prayer was Elijah asking God why he allowed such a tragedy. The bible mentions he prayed three times for this child. Elijah had seen God’s miracles, but was experiencing a delayed response.  
 
            He was a prominent prophet. Ahab was the current King and was intrigued by Elijah. Meanwhile Ahab’s wife, Jezebel worshiped other gods. She was so deceived it was her mission to destroy Elijah for interfering with her plans. From 1 Kings Chapter 17 to chapter 19 and 2 Kings 1 and 2, Elijah’s anointing was unmistakable. He had and incredible influence and reputation in the area. He performed miracles through God’s strength. Yet he suffered and struggled just like you and I. He struggled to such an extent that he wanted to die. God wasn’t done, it was just another chapter. 

          Elijah is parable of our life plastered with I can't believe it. God fed Elijah daily just like he cares for you and I. When he needed extra food and strength it was there. He still had to ask and pray at other times. God cares about our everyday function right down to going to the bathroom as he explained Deuteronomy 23:12-13. He worked through Elijah. Just as God worked through Elijah he is working through you on a daily basis.


          I can't believe it. He's performing miracles on both sides of the equation daily. The fingerprints of God guide your daily thoughts and actions. Recognizing them is up to you. As referenced in Hebrews 11:1, faith is the confidence of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen. I believe faith is the hand that reaches out to God and never comes back empty. 
We are saved by faith and that very faith propels us through life. Hebrews 11:6 states without faith it is impossible to please God. It doesn’t take a bunch of faith. He requires the faith of a mustard seed to move mountains. Sometimes all you need to do is imagine and ask.

          Life is not perfect and you will always endure levels of difficulty no matter your spiritual level. Trials and tribulations are commanded by God for our benefit. We have to trust him through them. Christ is proud of the church and the people you are. We are a people of one body, one faith, one hope, one baptism with one God and Father of all.

          Write this down, I encourage you to hang this up somewhere in your house. Romans 5:1-5 (AMP) “Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

          “Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].”
“And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance;”
 “and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].”
“Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

            You are fearfully and wonderfully made in the absolutely perfect image of God. You are a reflection of his glory. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. I pray you allow him to give you strength through your daily tribulations and watch his miracles appear on a daily basis. Give credit where credit is due.  Can you believe it? You have to believe it and keep walking with your head held high because, our redeemer lives!