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Elijah was one of the greats. An MVP (most valuable prophet) almost. He stood up against one of the vilest, most wicked pair of rulers and challenged them to a duel. He spoke the truth of God to a hardened people and stood his ground even when he went unheard.
He was rough and tough by the looks of it but even he almost gave up. With the kind of victory he won over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he should have been thrilled and motivated to do greater things. Unfortunately, when he heard of Queen Jezebel’s death threats he got dejected and went into hiding. It’s interesting that God never asked him to run and hide, but he chose to do just that and God intercepts his doom and gloom mindset. Following two long naps in the deserts during which he is fed by an angel, he’s then asked to take a forty-day journey to Mount Horeb, the mountain of the Lord. God met with him there and whispered instructions to him.
Elijah had a script that he repeatedly narrated to the One who called him when asked what he was doing there. God responded to his honest grief and self-pity with a renewed vision and defined purpose. Elijah is sent back to anoint two kings and one prophet while revealing to him that there was a remnant out there who hadn’t bowed to Baal. In essence, God gave Elijah a reason to hope and not give up.
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
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3 Responses
I get discouraged sometimes. Some would say, “your in the valley”. But there is a hope in us that keeps us moving forward. I even think about giving up. There is a song called “through the fire” Jason Crab sings it. The lyrics to this song really help me climb out of that “valley” sometimes. I can imagine how renewed Elijah must of felt when he was told he was not the only one left. I believe God gives us things in our life that renew us and gives us purpose as well.
I believe that when we are down and dejected sometimes it as a result of being tired and hungry. Sometimes we need to take a step back and rest, refresh and regroup. We need to remember Who we are serving and that He is there to help us and lift us up. It is also important to remember we are not alone as we have our Christian brothers and sisters to lean on.
I have two plaques hanging by my exit door.
One reads:
God didn’t promise days without pain, laugh or without sorrow, nor sun without rain. But he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.
The other reads:
Today is a gift from God remember to thank him.
These tend to keep me in check, but sometimes it’s a struggle.