Seeing Beyond The Horizon

Text: I Kings 18:41-46 IBCSWS

January 1, 2006

By Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

   Looking back to the defining years we’ve gone through will make us more excited to what the New Year would offer while preparing ourselves for a good jumpstart for the year 2006.

   Since the downfall of man, clouds of uncertainties have been hovering over man’s life. Storms of life come and go and the shadow of death is being feared continually. Peace and hope become the cry of men, but these desirable things seem unattainable, and apparently, they become a part of everyone’s dream in life.

   Smart and intelligent people try to widen their horizon to search for better things. They give their best to improve man’s social, political and economic landscape, but still there are no remarkable changes because God’s will is not a part of their vision.

   During the years of King Ahab, severe drought had been experienced by the Israelites because of their indifferent attitude toward God. The Lord put them into life-squeezing situations to test their hearts, but true faith was not found in them except from a few individuals.

   In the midst of terrible famine, Elijah, the widow of Zarephath and the seven thousand believers who praised not Baal really enjoyed the miraculous provision of God. Undoubtedly, they saw good things beyond the horizon of hopelessness.

   Seeing the New Year through our naked eyes surely ushers us to worry-laden journey. Some people think that it may be a replay of our previous years filled with “fears and tough balancing”, but cheer up because there is a better way of seeing the New Year 2006.

                      (I) Through The Eyes Of 

                          Faith

   I Kings 18:41-46

   -We could see better

    things beyond what

    ordinary men

    could see

   A careful study on I Kings 18:41-46 makes us realize that what Elijah heard and saw were imperceptible by man’s senses. In verse 43, it is written, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. (KJV) Verses 41-46 vindicate the saying that goes, “A man of faith is also a man of prayer.”

   The phrase “Go again seven times” was a mind-stirring command of Elijah to his servant that conveys a needful message relevant in our times. It reminds us not to be discouraged by what our naked eyes can see no matter how hopeless the situation is. It encourages us to live by faith and warns us not to yield ourselves to pessimistic mindset. Go again seven times means to keep on trusting God especially in times of wretchedness. Keep in mind that our unwavering faith in God always brings forth amazing results.                           

      -We could be an

       encouragement to the

       hopeless

   Elijah was truly a great encouragement to King Ahab. During critical times, God uses men of faith to inspire others so they may be ushered in the path of faith. In I Kings 18:41-42, it is written, And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, (KJV) Keep on trusting the Lord and inspire the world by your soaring faith!

     -We could be a blessing to

      others

   We confidently believe that the believers’ presence in this chaotic world is a blessing to all men. In I Kings 18:44-45, it is written, And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. (KJV) What a miraculous working of God in times of dire need. Elijah’s presence was a blessing to King Ahab and to the whole Israel. Truly, showers of blessings that come from above will be enjoyed continually by many people if believers consistently look unto Jesus through their eyes of faith.            

   -We could experience the

    miraculous working of

   God in our lives

   Through faith, we could be assured that the best of life that God has prepared awaits us. How encouraging for us to ponder in our hearts that we are so privileged because we are on the Lord’s side and He is working in us and through us. In I Kings 18:46, it is written, And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. (KJV) This passage gives us a glimpse of how the LORD worked mightily in Elijah’s life.

   As we go through another year full of hope and encouragement, may we be mindful of God and His power, and the works He wants us to do. God has entrusted us with extraordinary tasks to accomplish, foremost of which is the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. We cannot do anything without God’s help and that’s simply the reason why we must put our complete trust in Him.

   In Philippians 1:6, it is written, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV) This life-inspiring passage from the Bible reminds us of the abiding presence of God in the believer’s life and the believer’s significant part in God’s wonderful plan.

   Knowing that God’s hand is with us, we should then set godly goals for the glory of God. We should neither put ourselves in the line of mediocrity, nor be fearful to face the many challenges of life; but be courageous and mindful of the precious promises of God written in the Bible so we can marvelously display the power of the Holy Ghost through our lives and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ till He comes.

   Have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and see better things beyond the horizon!

A Prosperous New Year To All!