2. Does God Even Care “It’s so hard with wickedness and godlessness all around! Sometimes, I feel so alone… Is it even worth the effort?” Is this you, or does it at least sound & feel familiar at times?

3. If so, you’re not the first to feel this way- not by a long shot! He was persecuted by the wicked King Ahab, 1Kgs.17:2-7; 18:7-10 He escaped to the wilderness and had to be miraculously sustained by ravens, 1Kgs.17:1-7. After “many days” at the widow of Zarephath’s home, he returned Israel and slew 450 prophets of Baal, 1Kgs.18. Then again, he had to flee for his life to Beersheba, 1Kgs.19:1-3.

4. The distance that Elijah “ran for his life” from Jezreel to Beersheba was about 95 miles!

5. If so, you’re not the first to feel this way- not by a long shot! He was persecuted by the wicked King Ahab, 1Kgs.17:2-7; 18:7-10 He escaped to the wilderness and had to be miraculously sustained by ravens, 1Kgs.17:1-7. After “many days” at the widow of Zarephath’s home, he returned Israel and slew 450 prophets of Baal, 1Kgs.18. Then again, he had to flee for his life to Beersheba, 1Kgs.19:1-3. After a day’s journey further into the wilderness, he asked to die! 1Kgs.19:4-14

6. If so, you’re not the first to feel this way- not by a long shot! God protected Elijah, told him that he was not nearly as alone as he thought, gave him a replacement (Elisha), 1Kgs.19:15-18, and a spectacular entrance into heaven, 2Kgs.2:9-14! I’d say “God cared,” wouldn’t you?

7. “But that was then- what about me now ? Let’s consider Ephesians 1:1-8a to answer this question. He cares enough to:  Prepare an eternal reward for you, replete with every spiritual blessing, v.3  Formulate a plan to save you even before the world, let alone you, was born, v.4  Love you so much as to give you the right to be adopted as one of His own children, v.5  Bestow all possible grace and glory upon you through His Son, v.6  Buy you back from the just penalty of your sin, which is death, by sacrificing the very blood of His only Son, v.7. I’d say “He cares!”- wouldn’t you?

8. So…. Do you care enough about Him:  To learn and do what He says, Eph.5:10 and John 14:15,  without regrets and complaining? 2Cor.7:10 and Phil.2:14  To truly make Him Lord of your life, Rom.10:9,  by putting Him first in all aspects of it? Matt.6:33