OPEN HEAVEN 13 AUGUST 2023 SUNDAY: WHEN GOD ASKS A QUESTION
The Importance of Fearing God in 2023: Practical Tips for Cultivating Reverence
OPEN HEAVEN 13 AUGUST 2023 MEMORIZE: Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said; Who is this that darkeneth counsel without words? Gird up now thy loins like a man, for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Job 38:1-3
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OPEN HEAVEN 13 AUGUST 2023 BIBLE READING 1 KINGS 19:9-14
OPEN HEAVEN 13 AUGUST 2023 MESSAGE
In our Bible reading for today, God asked Elijah the same question twice: “What doest thou here, Elijah?” God is not talkative; if He asks the same question twice, there must be a reason behind it. Usually, when God asks you a question, it is a test.
In John 6:5-7, when Jesus saw the crowd, He turned and asked one of the disciples where they would find food to feed the people.
The Bible added that the question was to test him, for He already knew what He would do. The teacher knows the answer; He only tests the student when He asks a question.
In Genesis 3:1-7, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and hid behind a tree, God had already seen them. Yet He asked, “Adam, where art thou?” When Adam said “We heard Your voice and were afraid because we were naked”.
He asked further, “Who told you that you’re naked?” He knew already, but still He asked to see what they would say.
Unfortunately, they were pushing the blame and so they got the punishment they deserved. In Genesis 4:3-10, God asked Cain where Abel was.
When Cain said he didn’t know, God responded, “His blood is crying to me from where you killed and buried him”. God knew where Abel was from the onset, yet He asked Cain where he was and sadly, Cain never told the truth.
When God asks you a question, especially concerning a sin that you committed, fall on your face and beg for mercy. That question is a test to see if you are really repentant or not.
If, on the other hand, He asks you a question that is not pertaining to a sin you committed, my advice is that you ask the Holy Spirit to help you answer.
In our Bible reading for today, God asked Elijah the same question twice and he gave the same answer both times. I believe God asked the second time because He had hoped Elijah would answer differently.
I feel that if Elijah had not answered the questions with frustration, he wouldn’t have been asked to anoint his replacement yet.
In Ezekiel 37:3, Ezekiel was wise. God asked Him, “Can these bones live?” He did not know how to answer, so he responded, “You know, Lord”. God’s questions are tests; ask the Holy Spirit to help you answer them when they come.
OPEN HEAVEN 13 AUGUST 2023 KEY POINT
When God asks you a question, He knows the answer already; He is just testing to see if you are ready fora promotion.
OPEN HEAVEN 13 AUGUST 2023 HYMN
HYMNAL: 4 – BE GLAD IN THE LORD AND REJOICE
1. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
All ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made Him your choice,
Bid sadness and sorrow depart.
REFRAIN:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice!
2. Be joyful, for He is the Lord,
On earth and in heaven supreme;
He fashions and rules by His word;
The Mighty and strong to redeem.
3. What though in the conflict for right,
Your enemies almost prevail,
God’s armies, just hid from your sight,
Are more than the foes which assail.
4. Though darkness surround you by day,
Your sky by the night be o’ercast,
Let nothing your spirit dismay,
But trust till the danger is past.
5. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
His praises proclaiming in song;
With harp and with organ and voice,
The loud hallelujahs prolong!
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