A MESSENGE FOR ELIJAH

A fearless young prophet named Elijah barged into King Ahab’s throne room and announced God’s judgement on the northern tribes of Israel. “As the Lord God of Israel lives, in whose presence I stand, there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!” (1 Kings 17:1).

Three and a half years later, as the land languished in dusty drought, Elijah challenged 450 priests of the pagan god Baal to a contest. God won, as fire fell at Elijah’s prayerful request!

He was courageous, unafraid, undaunted… until a woman threatened him. Jezebel, the queen, vowed to get even, so Elijah ran like a scared rabbit. Defeated, discouraged, and alone, Elijah crawled under the protective boughs of a “broom tree and prayed that he might die” (1 Kings 19:4).

He wasn’t alone, and neither are we. Though sometimes we feel like Elijah did, we can be assured that God will never leave us. “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). “I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you” (Acts 18:10). “I will never leave you or abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5).

To demonstrate His omnipotence and omnipresence, God sent a messenger, a Heavenly courier, an angel. The message was simple. “Get up and eat… you have a long journey ahead... go all the way to Mt. Horeb, or Mt. Sinai… there God awaits you with new instructions.”

Elijah obeyed. The Divine message was just the encouragement he needed, and at Horeb, God commissioned him to anoint a new king and a new prophet, one that would continue his work.

God doesn’t leave us alone … and likely, God’s not through with us yet.

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).