Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10 He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away."
11 He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." 15 Then the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17 Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:9-17)
(Elijan fed by an angel- Bol)
Thoughts: What would happen if the church shrunk to just one person? Elijah had just one a contest with the prophets of Baal, and the people said they would follow the Lord. A great miracle and triumph had happened, but sometimes after the mountaintop comes a steep valley. Elijah was tired from running a very long way- (Mt. Carmel to Mt. Hebron). He was tired, hungry, and thirsty, and alone with the powerful queen tryiing to have him hunted down and killed. But God who had protected him from famine and drought and the prophets of Baal, was not about to abandon Elijah. He send an angel to nourish him, and He Himself encourages Elijah. A weary Elijah did not need shock and awe (earthquake, wind, fire) but a still small voice giving him hope. He was to anoint a new king of Aram (God is in charge of even the non-Jewish nations); He was to anoint a new king of Israel (God is the King of kings) and he is to anoint a new prophet, Elishah- a successor- so he would not have to worry about the future of the faith.
When we feel weary and alone- maybe even depressed and ready to die (1 Kgs 19:4)- yet we are faithful to Him- God will not abandon us, but will multiply our efforts to bear fruit.
Prayer: When I am weary, help me ot hear your still, small voice calling me to yourself, Lord.
11 He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He answered, "I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." 15 Then the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. 17 Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:9-17)
Thoughts: What would happen if the church shrunk to just one person? Elijah had just one a contest with the prophets of Baal, and the people said they would follow the Lord. A great miracle and triumph had happened, but sometimes after the mountaintop comes a steep valley. Elijah was tired from running a very long way- (Mt. Carmel to Mt. Hebron). He was tired, hungry, and thirsty, and alone with the powerful queen tryiing to have him hunted down and killed. But God who had protected him from famine and drought and the prophets of Baal, was not about to abandon Elijah. He send an angel to nourish him, and He Himself encourages Elijah. A weary Elijah did not need shock and awe (earthquake, wind, fire) but a still small voice giving him hope. He was to anoint a new king of Aram (God is in charge of even the non-Jewish nations); He was to anoint a new king of Israel (God is the King of kings) and he is to anoint a new prophet, Elishah- a successor- so he would not have to worry about the future of the faith.
When we feel weary and alone- maybe even depressed and ready to die (1 Kgs 19:4)- yet we are faithful to Him- God will not abandon us, but will multiply our efforts to bear fruit.
Prayer: When I am weary, help me ot hear your still, small voice calling me to yourself, Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment