After the Storms - Decision Magazine

Within weeks, we experienced record-breaking fires in the northwest, record-breaking hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico and a record-breaking earthquake in Mexico. Were these disasters random? Just freaks of nature? Or was something more significant intended? And how are we to celebrate Thanksgiving after the storms?

Read 1 Kings 19:1-18

THANKFUL GOD SEEKS US

Briefly describe Elijah’s situation in 19:1-8.
Where did God find Elijah? See verse 9.
What do you think Elijah’s emotional state was when God found him?
From the following passages, describe the various situations in which God found His children: Genesis 3:1-9; 13:1-17; 16:1-14; Exodus 3:1-4; Judges 6:11-12; Mark 6:45-51; Revelation 1:9-16.
What do these encounters reveal to you about God?
How does the parable Jesus told in Luke 15:1-7 emphasize this same characteristic of God?
Where does God find you today? Describe your situation and emotional state.
What does it mean to you that God seeks you?

THANKFUL GOD SPEAKS TO US

God asks us a question

What did God ask Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9, 13?
What similar question did God ask in Genesis 3:9? In Genesis 16:7-8?
What do you think are some reasons God asks us questions when He already knows the answers? Consider Psalm 139:23-24; Job 33:29-30; Isaiah 40:27-31.
Why do you think God asked Elijah the same question twice? See Psalm 62:8.
Write out a brief evaluation of your heart and where you find yourself today.

God arrests our attention

How did God get Elijah’s attention in 1 Kings 19:11-12?
How did God get His people’s attention in 2 Chronicles 7:13? Joel 1:1-4?
If God wanted to get the attention of today’s world, how do you think He would do it?
Name some of the record-breaking environmental events our world has experienced this year. Is it possible God is trying to get our attention?
What is happening in your life that God could be using to get your attention?

God addresses our situation

What is the implication of the fact that God spoke to Elijah? See 1 Kings 19:11.
How do the following verses comfort you? Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 43:1-2; Hebrews 13:5; Romans 8:35-39.
What personal help did God indicate He would give Elijah? Read 1 Kings 19:16.
Give other examples of help from: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; implied in Matthew 10:1-6; Acts 3:1-10; 13:1-5.
Who has God brought alongside to help you?
In contrast to Elijah’s feelings expressed in 19:10, 14, what encouragement did God give to him in 1 Kings 19:18?
Is it possible your witness also has had more impact than you know? See Isaiah 55:10-12 and Zechariah 4:6.
What new assignments did God give to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:15-17?
How do you think this gave Elijah a renewed sense of purpose after his feelings of failure and depression?
Would you ask God to give you a renewed sense of purpose by recalling you into service for Him?

THANKFUL GOD WILL SEND FOR US

Describe the dramatic end to Elijah’s life from 2 Kings 2:1-12.
How is this similar to what will take place in the last generation? See Matthew 24:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.
What could be an implied message from Elijah’s experience after the storms? Think about it.

How thankful we can be that not only after the storms, but during the storms of our lives, God seeks us out and speaks to us so that our faith is renewed, and we can make it through another day. Until … one day the sky unfolds, we hear the trumpet blow, and God sends for us, catching us up to live with Him forever! Our Home will be ready! Heaven will be waiting!