Southside Scoop - 4.7.2024

T H E S C O O P

Southside Church of Christ

800 Elmira Avenue

Durham, NC 27707

info@sside.org

www.sside.org

919.688.3535

STAFF

Orlander R. Thomas

Senior Minister

William A. Stephens

Minister Emeritus

D’Andrea Fanning

Director of Ministry Operations & Non-Profit

Candice P. Blount

Church Administrator

Quentella Williams

Executive Assistant

DEACONS

John Alcox

Anthony Green, Sr.

Arthur Hackney

John Mathis

Chester Mayfield, Jr.

Roger McDougal

Joe Williams

Keith Wright

What ‘Chu Doin’ Here?

By RICKI FULLER

According to the written accounts found in the book of I Kings, the prophet Elijah demonstrated faith/confidence in the LORD GOD of Israel. In so doing, he performed good deeds and miracles for several needy people. Also, on Mount Carmel, GOD had magnificently used Elijah to perform miracles and to embarrass/mock Baal’s prophets. After the great successes the prophet Elijah experienced at GOD’s behest, it seems he lost confidence/faith in the GOD. Perhaps his mental, spiritual, and physical conditions were totally spent upon receiving a threat from Queen Jezebel that she would have him killed. (Her threat to kill him was retaliatory due to Elijah’s killing of Baal’s prophets.)

Note that Elijah called on GOD to show His power as a means to turn the people’s hearts/minds back to The GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Hence, based on seeing GOD’s Power, I imagine the people shouted and sang ‘GOD Is Real!’ similar to John P. Kee’s the song, ‘Jesus Is Real.’ But, as soon as Jezebel’s messenger communicated the threat of her having him killed the next day, Elijah became afraid and ran more than 80 miles for his life away from her reach. Think about it and consider if Elijah’s reaction reminds you of yourself or others you know. After being used by GOD for such a tremendous showing, Elijah told GOD he had enough and asked GOD to kill him because he was tired. Seemingly he felt as though he was the only one diligently and faithfully working for GOD (Who was not sending him any help). The load was too heavy/painful for him. While on the run, and wishing he could die, angels protected, fed, and guided him. It is stated that he traveled 40 days and nights to GOD’s Mountain (Horeb/Sinai) where Elijah spent the night in a cave. The Scripture indicates that during Elijah’s stay in that cave, GOD’s word appeared to him inquiring, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Can you, at times, sense GOD asking you the same question? Do you, sometimes, get the impression He’s tapping on your heart/mind giving you hints designed to guide your mind from negative thought patterns back to His Love and Care for you? Have you experienced His Presence, and His nudging you to praise/thank Him even when you’ve failed to maintain faith/trust in Him? Are there times when you realize how good GOD has already been to you amidst you failing to appreciate Him while thinking the hard times are too much or are unfair to you?

Hypothetically, Elijah’s failure was that of not fully trusting GOD to save him/Israel from death/destruction by their enemies. GOD helped him by showing that He had 7,000 Israelites along with Elisha to trust Him, and to fend for Israel.

Likewise, GOD Is always Present demonstrating His Love so you will not stay entrenched in failure. Instead, He includes you in Christ’s victory because with Him you are already successful!

(See John 16:33, Philippians 4:13, Mark 9:23-24, Psalm 46:10-11.)

“So God created mankind in his own image” -Genesis

March 31, 2024

April