Wednesday, September 6, 2017

The Almighty of Israel

Last Friday afternoon, I received a phone call from the young man's mother, asking me if I'd be willing to step in, speak with a caseworker, and if possible, have her son come stay with me.  I said to go ahead and give the caseworker my phone number and I'd keep the phone close.  She stated . . . she had already given him my number.  It wasn't fifteen minutes later, he called.  The tossing of hoops for me to jump through, began immediately, and there was a check in my spirit.  Between the call from the mother and the call from the state, I sensed a "showdown" between Elijah and the prophets of Ba'al.

I am certainly not claiming the spiritual stature of Elijah, but I do serve the same Mighty G-d.  There was what I would call an Elijah moment with this individual that seemed very similar to the one described in I Kings 18, as Elijah was dealing with the prophets of Ba'al.  Since this situation involves a minor, I will not use names.  A true miracle took place in the next three days, and she along with her family rejoiced in that miracle!  The happy mother then matter of factly stated to me, "I know you think this happened as a result of prayer to your G-d, but I know it's a result of prayers to my gods."  Her statement made me physically ill, and then I considered the facts . . . Spiritual blindness is causing horrendous audacity in America.

A very contentious situation had revolved around this particular child for 12 years,  from the time his parents divorced.   Although I never had any power or clout in the situation, I did pray that the child would have some peace and not have to endure the strife, nor come to feed on the tension . . . and that Father's will would be done.  Five years ago, the situation erupted with a change of primary custody, in favor of the father.  The father then became even more controlling and ruthless than he had been, but the young man became active in his church and sports.  In some of the photos posted in social media, seeing places his sisters and mother were going and some things the mother had said to me, I do believe sports and church were much preferred in Father's will through that time, but . . . there was more to Father's plan.

As I considered the statement this woman made about her god(s), I knew it was the G-d of Israel that had moved and brought this about.  Her god hadn't manage to do anything for five years.  It was she, herself, who had contacted me on Friday afternoon, asking for help.  When the caseworker called me that same afternoon, I listened to his schpeel of state authority and simply stated, "The young man should be with his mother, I'll think about what you have said and will pray on the matter."  I had a client, so the prayer wasn't immediate, but I already knew I would not be jumping through state hoops to become a foster mother to a child who'd had both parents fighting over him for most of his life.

When I was alone, I did pray and immediately heard, "Call his mother and tell her to get to Missouri, this is her opportunity."  I called her and delivered Father's message.  Five long years her god piddled, while she endured mountains of heartbreak, rivers of tears, and spent thousands of dollars.  When she sought a servant of the Most High G-d of Israel, the matter was resolved in three days!  Within 72 hours from the call for help from his mother, he was with her, Monday afternoon.  Also amazing to note, this involved no litigation, no lawyer fees, only airfare and hotel accommodations; which were gifted to the woman.  That's the way the G-d of the Bible answers prayer!

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if YHUH be G-d, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. . . And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. . . And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, YHUH G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day That thou art G-d in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.  Hear me, O YHUH, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art YHUH G-d, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of YHUH fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  I Kings 18:21, 26-27, 36-38 .