Always Remember, November 8, 2015
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Fertile LutheranNovember 8, 2015Text: I Kings 17:8-16Psalm 14Hebrews 924-28Mark 12:38-44Always RememberAlways remember. Today we honor and remember or veterans who have served our country inthe armed services. I want to take a moment to honor those members and families from ourcongregation. They are: Chris Andersen, Paul Beatty, Norm Froiland, Ben Hauge, Chad Holt,Mark Kragel, Arlyn Midtgaard, Jerry Ouverson, Allen Severson, Ken Strohman, Dean Theilen,and Dallas Koeneke. Thank you for what you have done for our nation.In the video we just watched, we heard a daughter’s promise to her father saying: “because of allthe stories I’ve heard you tell- I’ll always remember what you went through- nor will I letanyone else forget.” As Christians- we are here to worship God because of what He has done forus- to remember and hear the stories of God’s love- to remember what He went through -Hissacrifice and death on a cross, May we always remember- may we tell others and may theyalways remember. To those who received Him, who believed in his name, He gave the power tobecome children of God. God is mighty to save. Pray.I can’t imagine going on shore of Normandy beach amid the sound of gun fire and grenadesgoing off that were intended for me. I can’t imagine landing in a swamp in Vietnam amidstgunfire and grenades exploding all around me. I can’t imagine having my Humvee blown up by aland mine in Afghanistan or Iraq.Most of us have not had to face such fear- thanks to soldiers who have faced them for us.Although we may not have had to face an enemy out to kill us, we all face fears in differentways. What are your fears this morning?The Old Testament text this morning is one of my favorite stories. It is an example that no matterwho we are- whether a prophet or a poor widow and her son- God will take care of you in themidst of your fears.To put this story in context, I want us to back up a little to understand what has been happeningup to this point in time. The prophet Elijah had just confronted King Ahab- a king who was oneof the most evil rulers ever to live. Standing before him in the king’s palace- Elijah looked him inthe eye and said: “as the word of the lord lives- there shall be neither dew, nor rain for years. Andafter he had so courageously made a stand before Ahab- the Lord told Elijah- now go and hide!And Elijah went to a place where God showed him by a river where God took care of him-providing ravens to feed him and water from the river to drink. But the river dried up becausethere was no rain in the land. What was Elijah to think? Had God stopped providing for him?No- it was only the next chapter of how God provide. It is here that the text for today that beginswith the words:
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“And the word of the Lord came to Elijah telling him to go to the land of Zarephath and livethere- “For I have commanded a widow there to feed you. The first question that comes to mindis: Why would God send him to a widow he doesn’t even know and who is no doubt poor andwould appear from all human understanding- unable to take care of him? And two: did thewoman know that God had commanded her- or had God simply been preparing her for thismoment?In our own lives, all we have ever experienced, all we have gone through- good or bad, God hasbeen at work showing his faithfulness- and through it all, we have had the opportunity to learn totrust. I believe the bible teaches us that God does not cause bad things to happen to us- andcertainly does not cause us to sin, but the bible does make it clear that God is our rescuer- ourdeliverer, our salvation- our peace regardless of our circumstances. The widow had already gonethrough many things in her life and had learned to trust God. Because of that- regardless ofwhether she was aware of it or not- she had been called- commanded by God to take care ofElijah.Then there was Elijah. If I were Elijah, I think that I would be at least a little anxious if notafraid. But Elijah steps out in faith and goes to Zarephath and there he finds a woman- “the”widow gathering sticks. He calls out to her to bring him some water to drink-and then adds- “oh-and could you bring me a morsel of bread to eat while you are at it too?”May I remind you that water is scarce due to the drought- and food is even scarcer. I find herresponse heart rending. She turns to this man she does not know- who has just asked her to giveher some precious water and a morsel of bread to eat and says: “I have nothing baked- and only ahandful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug- and now I am gathering sticks to make a fire tobake what’s left for myself and my son and then wait to die.”Elijah must have been moved by her words- yet trusted God’s word to him that she was the onewho would take care of her- and assures her: “Don’t be afraid- go do what you have said- butfirst make me a little cake and bring it to me- and then go and make something for yourself andyour son.” and then he shares with her a promise from God- “the jar of meal and the jug of oilwill not go empty as long as you need it.” And so they trusted God to provide and God wasfaithful in his promise.It wasn’t their own doing that it had happened- it was a miracle-a gift of God they simplyreceived by grace- trusting a faithful God to provide and take care of them- one meager meal at atime made from a few grains of meal scrapped from the bottom of the jar and oil from a jug onedrop at a time- day after day by faith. Don’t be afraid. God is faithful- never forget- alwaysremember the promise.I think I am speaking for many of us when I confess that I want to have more than one meagermeal at a time to be assured that God will provide. I prefer at least a year- preferably more. ButGod often gives us only what we need when we need it.
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Think of the Israelites who had just been set free from slavery in Egypt. No sooner had they leftEgypt than their greatest fears followed them- pursued them with the intent of stopping them andkill them or at best bring them back to slavery.What are your fears this morning? Fear of the uncertainty of the future? Fears for the well beingof loved ones-financial fears- health fears and concerns? Our emotions can be a roller coaster-some days the things of this world can threaten to drag us down in despair- and thankfully otherdays we experience victory in our lives over our fears. Living in a broken world, life is alwayschanging- but we have a savior who is never changing. May we always remember that He is ourhope and our salvation. It is His victory. We need only to trust- and obey by grace through faith.Even as the Israelites were being led by God out of slavery to the promised land, the army ofPharaoh pursued them- until they found themselves cornered with the Red Sea to their backs andPharaoh’s army quickly approaching them.We have heard this story so many times and know what happens next that I think perhaps wehave lost the wonder and power of God’s deliverance. But for the Israelites, in that moment- theydidn’t know what would happen next- and it didn’t look good. They must have been terrified.But God made a way through their worst nightmares- parted the seas and brought them“through” the waters – even on dry land! And when the army followed them even as God ledthem through- God stopped them in their tracks.But the story does not end there. It took 40 years in the wilderness before they entered thepromised land. But God was faithful through it all- providing them manna to eat- enough for theday- one day at a time. As a congregation, we face financial concerns. It is not a time to ignorethe realities- especially the reality of God’s provision- one day at a time.In a few minutes we will be receiving holy communion. In the words of Jesus in the night inwhich he was betrayed- Jesus said- take and eat- this is my body which is given for you- do thisin remembrance of me-take and drink- this is my blood which was given to you- do this inremembrance of me.May we always remember the sacrifice Jesus endured on the cross for you and I but may wealways remember why he willingly gave his life. It is because His love for us- simple as that.The Psalmist often wrote about God putting a new song in his heart- in fact, most of the Psalmswere sung. Psalm 40 is one example. It begins like this:“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from thedesolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put anew song in my mouth- a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust inthe Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3May we never forget who and whose we are-no longer slaves- we are a child of God- a child ofthe king who is mighty to save. Amen.