Old Testament | 1 Kings 19:15-21 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
Grace in the Wilderness by Eoghan Heaslip and Matt Redman

Lyrics:
Wand'rers in this wilderness
Yet we find our home in You
Strangers in a foreign land
Yet we find our hope in You

When all else changes You remain
You've always been our dwelling place O Lord

We find grace in the wilderness
Strength enough to sing of Your unfailing love
You are close closer than we know
And there will be a day when all will be revealed

Before the mountain peaks were formed
Before the earth itself was born
From the beginning to the end
You have always been our God

Passage:
And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.

(1 Kings 19:15-21 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
It Is Well With My Soul (VILLE DU HAVRE) by Philip Bliss

Reflection Notes:
A hymn born in tragedy, “It is Well” was penned by Horatio Spafford after hearing that his daughters had all perished in a shipwreck. Through this devastation, Spafford and his wife clung to the promise of God’s goodness. Spafford’s immortal words were set to music by his good friend and hymn writer, Philip Bliss; Bliss titled the tune “Ville du Havre” after the ship on which Spafford’s children had died.

Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer