Fertile Lutheran

November 8, 2015

Text: I Kings 17:8-16

Psalm 14

Hebrews 924-28

Mark 12:38-44

                                                             Always Remember

Always remember. Today we honor and remember or veterans who have served our country in

the armed services. I want to take a moment to honor those members and families from our

congregation. They are: Chris Andersen, Paul Beatty, Norm Froiland, Ben Hauge, Chad Holt,

sacrifice and death on a cross, May we always remember- may we tell others and may they

always remember. To those who received Him, who believed in his name, He gave the power to

become 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 grenades

going off that were intended for me. I can’t imagine landing in a swamp in Vietnam amidst

gunfire and grenades exploding all around me. I can’t imagine having my Humvee blown up by a

land 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 different

ways. What are your fears this morning?

the eye and said: “as the word of the lord lives- there shall be neither dew, nor rain for years. And

after 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 because

there 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 begins

with the words:

“And the word of the Lord came to Elijah telling him to go to the land of Zarephath and live

there- “For I have commanded a widow there to feed you. The first question that comes to mind

is: Why would God send him to a widow he doesn’t even know and who is no doubt poor and

would appear from all human understanding- unable to take care of him? And two: did the

woman know that God had commanded her- or had God simply been preparing her for this

moment?

In our own lives, all we have ever experienced, all we have gone through- good or bad, God has

been at work showing his faithfulness- and through it all, we have had the opportunity to learn to

trust. I believe the bible teaches us that God does not cause bad things to happen to us- and

certainly does not cause us to sin, but the bible does make it clear that God is our rescuer- our

whether she was aware of it or not- she had been called- commanded by God to take care of

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?”

response heart rending. She turns to this man she does not know- who has just asked her to give

her some precious water and a morsel of bread to eat and says: “I have nothing baked- and only a

handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug- and now I am gathering sticks to make a fire to

bake 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 one

who would take care of her- and assures her: “Don’t be afraid- go do what you have said- but

first make me a little cake and bring it to me- and then go and make something for yourself and

remember the promise.

I think I am speaking for many of us when I confess that I want to have more than one meager

meal at a time to be assured that God will provide. I prefer at least a year- preferably more. But

God often gives us only what we need when we need it.

Think of the Israelites who had just been set free from slavery in Egypt. No sooner had they left

Egypt than their greatest fears followed them- pursued them with the intent of stopping them and

kill 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 being

of 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 other

days we experience victory in our lives over our fears. Living in a broken world, life is always

changing- but we have a savior who is never changing. May we always remember that He is our

hope 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 of

“through” the waters – even on dry land! And when the army followed them even as God led

them through- God stopped them in their tracks.

promised land. But God was faithful through it all- providing them manna to eat- enough for the

day- one day at a time. As a congregation, we face financial concerns. It is not a time to ignore

the realities- especially the reality of God’s provision- one day at a time.

which he was betrayed- Jesus said- take and eat- this is my body which is given for you- do this

in remembrance of me-take and drink- this is my blood which was given to you- do this in

remembrance of me.

desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a

new song in my mouth- a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in

the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3

May we never forget who and whose we are-no longer slaves- we are a child of God- a child of

the king who is mighty to save. Amen.