With my voice I cry out to the Lord; 
with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord, 
I pour out my complaint before him; 
I tell my trouble before him. 

Bring me out of prison, 
that I may give thanks to your name! 
The righteous will surround me, 
for you will deal bountifully with me. 

Psalm 142:1-2, 7 

In 1 Kings we read of the adventures of the prophet Elijah, including the defeat of the prophets of Baal, Elijah’s flight from Jezebel, then the Lord speaking to Elijah whilst he was hiding in a cave.   

'What are you doing here, Elijah?' (1 Kings 19:9 ESV)   

The question could easily be understood as God asking Elijah why he might be hiding out in a cave, instead of doing the work for which he has been called. 

In these weeks following the decision of the Lutheran Church of Australia to remove the barriers to ordaining women, we might be tempted to run from the challenges that are before us. Despite being told constantly that the changes to the LCANZ aren’t church divisive, many pastors, lay people, and congregations are feeling very unsure about the future, and how and where they might worship or serve.  Like Elijah, many of us might feel like looking for a cave in which to hide. 

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'  

(Matthew 28:16-20) 

During the forty days after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles experience grief, fear, disappointment, doubt, joy, hope, more doubt and a fair amount of anxiety thrown in for good measure. Despite having seen their Lord raised from the dead, things were not as black and white as they might have liked. In the midst of this confusion Jesus told them to go the mountain of the Lord and worship him. As they gather, Jesus comes to them showing them his true authority.  The Lord of lords sends them out to tell everyone the good news, baptising them in the name of the Triune God and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded. He reassures them that he is always with them, ‘to the end of the age’. 

As we face this time of uncertainty and grief, let’s do what the disciples did. Let’s come together as believers to be served by the Triune God. Wherever you are, seek opportunities to meet with other believers in your homes and in your congregations. Listen to God's Word, pray and cast your doubts, fears and anxieties on him, for he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).