The introduction to Elijah in the Book of Kings is succinct and brutal. He stands before King Ahab and declares:
"No rain, no dew from Heaven until I say so."
Then he disappears.
No diplomacy, no further details, no finesse, no politics, simply the Word of God delivered from the prophet to the King and then "Poof" he's gone.
For the next three years he was #1 on Israels 'most wanted' list until his confrontation on Carmel with the prophets of Baal.
Here in one mighty demonstration of power Elijah saw the entire, fraudulent,rickety regime of Baal collapse in a flash of fire from Heaven.
For sheer godly boldness and audacity Elijah gets the gold medal.
He also shows the possibilities of the POWER OF ONE when that person is linked to God.
Having trouble with a tyrannical boss? Elijah spoke to the King himself.
Fearful of the opinion of work mates and friends? Don't be. There were 400 prophets of Baal and everyone of them was WRONG.
Truth is never a majority decision. Elijah proved that point.
Jubilate.
Ian
Often in Hebrews 11 we read the recurring phrase "By faith".
Later in the chapter the writer speaks of those who by faith "Quenched the fire and stopped the mouths of lions"
Daniel was such a man.
In the Babylon Olympiad of 550 BC when Greek competitors were striving for a crown of olive leaves, Daniel was in a different arena.
He was standing before merciless heathen kings giving crystal clear interpretations of their dreams and daring to worship God in front of a malicious,vengeful pack of sycophant courtiers and magicians.
When they thought that they had finally vanquished him by having him cast into the lions den, Daniel didn't turn a hair.
After spending a restful night, Daniel assured an anxious King Darius that all was well and that the angels had given him safe-keeping.
His accusers were then promptly marched down into the lair to take his place!
Daniel must surely get the gold medal for unmatched trust in the living God.
Maybe you are in a lion's den today. Take heart, we serve a God who can put them to sleep.
Ian
Moses must surely receive a gold medal in the great gallery of the faithful.
Called at the age of 80 years old to lead two million people from under the yoke of the world's super power of the day, he rose magnificently to the challenge.
Ray Kroc founded the McDonald's chain at 70 years and Colonel Sanders began Kentucky Fried Chicken at 71 but their senior achievements pale compared with those of Moses.
Armed with unshakable faith in Jehovah, a crystal-clear sense of his mission and the Rod of God in his hand he saw the creation of a new nation. He also forged in them a sense of destiny, put up with their rebellion, grumbling and backsliding for forty years and eventually led them to the borders of the Promised Land.
Not only that, but he also successfully handed over the baton to his prepared lieutenant, Joshua, to complete the job.
When I think of Moses I think above all of the quality of endurance and for that he must certainly be awarded the Gold.
Jubilate.
Ian
This morning let's talk about Joseph.
In my judgement he gets the gold medal for integrity.
When he received the coat of many colours from his father,Jacob, he was in fact wearing his destiny in technicolour.
The gold, silver and sequins of the sun, moon and stars of his dream, the yellow of the harvest when his brother's sheaves bowed before him, the green of his brother's envy, the black of the pit into which he was thrown. His future was woven into his coat.
Then came the blue of his 'blue chip' character when he refused to cheat on his master, Potiphar. The fiery red passion of Potiphar's wife was quenched by the snow white of his own purity.
Even when he was wrongly imprisoned he maintained such a quality of life that the warden handed the keys to him and asked him to look after his fellow inmates.
In and through all his trials he was a man who revered God and maintained his stainless testimony.
He is one of greatest models with which God has gifted the human race.
Jubilate.
Ian
My friend,John,from Barrie asked me to do a series on the Bible's top ten characters, what we might call the Gold Medalist's of the faith.
So tune in, John.
I would pick Abraham as an obvious choice. He gets the gold medal of faith.
At 100 years old he fathered the child of promise called Isaac. Isaac means 'laughter' and everyone was laughing with joy when he was born.
Imagine, fifteen years later God subjected Abraham to the greatest of tests when He called upon him to offer up his son as a sacrifice.
On Mt Moriah, the site of the present day Wailing Wall and Temple Mount, Abraham surmounted the challenge. God provided a ram for his offering and ever after Abraham was titled "The Father of the Faithful".
You believe in Christ today? Then see in Abraham a picture of our heavenly father offering up His own Son on our behalf and receiving Him back from the dead.
From Abraham we receive a testimony of faith fully vindicated. He left a legacy greater than money to the whole Human Race.
Abraham, you get the Gold Medal for faith.
Jubilate.
Ian
