Read: 1
Kings 19
Elijah is waiting outside of Jezreel, expecting to
meet Ahab. However, instead of meeting Elijah, Ahab goes to his wife, Jezebel.
He tells Jezebel about Elijah calling down fire from heaven, making a mockery
of Baal. Further, Ahab tells Jezebel that Elijah killed Baal’s prophets. The
wicked Jezebel has great influence over her husband’s reign. She commands that
Elijah be killed. When Elijah receives word that there is a target on his life,
he flees. Elijah takes his servant to Beersheba and continues further by
himself.
But God is our ever-present help in times of trouble
(Psalm 46:1). God meets Elijah, providing both physical and spiritual strength
for Elijah to continue on his journey of obedience to the true King. At the end
of Elijah’s first day on the run, he is emotionally dry. He is discouraged and
prays, “It is enough; now O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my
fathers” (v 4). He is ready to give up and throw away his role as a prophet to
God’s people. As Elijah lies down in defeat an angel comes to meet him. The
angel brings food and water to sustain Elijah physically. After Elijah lies
down a second time, the angel of the Lord greets him. He acknowledges that the
journey ahead is indeed too great for Elijah. However, God’s divine strength
will accomplish what Elijah’s humanity cannot. We see that Elijah was nourished
for forty days and forty nights from that single meal provided by God’s angel!
Elijah embarks on a forty day journey to Mount
Horeb, the place where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses (Deut 5:2). When
he arrives, Elijah makes a resting place in a cave. It is in this cave that God
begins one of the most well-known conversations He has had with a man. Here God
provides the spiritual nourishment Elijah will need to complete his mission.
The word of the Lord comes to Elijah and asks, “What are you doing here?” (v
9). God knows all things. He already knew why Elijah was lodging in the cave at
Horeb. However, He still desires that we open our hearts to Him. He wants His
people to be open and vulnerable with Him so we can learn to trust Him. God calls
Elijah out of the cave and speaks to him gently. God asks Elijah once more,
“What are you doing here?” (v 13). Elijah gives the same response as before. He
describes his zeal for the Lord, the sin of Israel and the danger to his life
(v 14).
God listens to Elijah, but does not let him give
up. He responds with a set of commands. Elijah is to anoint new leaders over
Syria and Israel and anoint Elisha as his own successor (v 15-17). Elijah,
being strengthened from this meeting with the Lord, obeys. He courageously
leaves behind his fear of death to complete God’s mission. Elijah immediately
seeks Elisha. Elijah puts his mantle (a type of cloak) as a prophetic symbol of
passing on his prophetic authority. Elisha has only one request: allow me to
say goodbye to my family first (v 20). Elijah permits this and Elisha returns
to his family, offering this oxen as a sacrifice to God. Elisha sacrifices his
means of work as a symbol that he is entering a new life and no longer has need
for the old one.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Have you ever felt as though God’s calling on
your life was too much? Have you ever felt inadequate, fearful or discouraged
by what is happening in your life? Take heart – God has mercy on us if we shall
only turn to Him. When Elijah ran from Jezebel, God met him in a gentle
whisper. “Return, my servant, and see my plans for you through to completion.”
Ask God to reveal the purpose your life has in His kingdom. Write out a prayer
of response. What do you feel in response to what God has shown you? Share that
with Him. Ask God to be your strength and your help on this mission and commit
yourself to obedience.
2. God sometimes speaks in loud, miraculous ways.
More often, He speaks in the gentle whisper in our soul. He nudges us and
guides us as we move through life with the desire to honour Him. As we choose
to listen, we find that He wants to be our ever-present help and our counselor.
Ask God to make you more sensitive to His voice. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak
to you throughout your day today. Ask Him to give you ears that are quick to
hear, a heart that is quick to receive and hands and feet that a quick to obey
what the Spirit says to you.
3. Pray for the Church today. We all need to walk
in step with the Spirit’s guidance. Pray that we would grow move sensitive and
submissive to His guidance. Pray that this would bear much fruit in our own
lives (growth in maturity and personal holiness) and in bringing in the harvest
in our nation (increased evangelism and effective discipleship).
