Read 1 Kings 19
Highlights:
Wicked Queen threatens Elijah to morrow (1 Kin. 19:2); He is sustained by angels (19:9-12); God's successor for Elijah (19:15-19); Wicked Ahab learns God is the Lord (20:28-34); Ahab's death foretold.
Apparently, Elijah believed that the miraculous fire from heaven and the end of the drought not only would prove Baal to be a false god but would result in Ahab and Jezebel's conversion to the One True God.
Ahab rushed toward his palace to tell Jezebel what had happened. Responding immediately, Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went(ran) for his life (1 Kings 19:2-3). Avoiding the ruthless Jezebel was not weakness, but wisdom. After stopping to rest from his running and feeling defeated and discouraged, Elijah prayed: O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers (19:4).
There is no indication that Elijah contemplated suicide; he believed that God was the Creator and Lord of life and only He had the right to take life. What he meant was: "I'm a failure. I have not achieved my mission, and there seems to be no hope of restoring the nation to worship You as the One True God." However, God lovingly provided for Elijah's physical needs by sending an angel to supply nourishment after his long journey (19:5-6). Often our mountaintop spiritual victories will be quickly followed by opposition, or a time of testing in a solitary place.
When we stand before the Lord, each person's work will be judged – not by how spectacular it was but by its true eternal worth. All of us have moments of disappointment when it seems we have failed. Often our estimation of what we should achieve is far different than what God has in mind. We are not called to always be successful, but we are always called to be available and to remain faithful to God (1 Corinthians 1:9).
Although he did not know it, Elijah did accomplish what God wanted him to do. The people in Ahab’s kingdom went home with a true revelation that the Lord, He is the God (1 Kings 18:39). For centuries Elijah’s faith and faithfulness have given encouragement to millions of believers. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. . . . The Lord preserveth all them that love Him: but all the wicked will He destroy (Psalm 145:18,20).
Thought for Today:
Man fails many, many times, but Jesus never fails.
Christ Portrayed:
By the unnamed prophet who prophesied victory to King Ahab so that he would know his destiny was controlled by God: Thou shalt know that I am the Lord (I Kin. 20:13,28). Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).
Word Studies:
19:8 Horeb, Mount Sinai; 19:14 jealous, zealous; 19:21 instruments, yokes; 20:11 harness, armor; 20:12 Set yourselves in array, Get ready to attack; 20:24 rooms, positions, places.
Prayer Suggestion: Rejoice and consider yourself blessed when you suffer for the Name of Christ (1 Pet. 4:14).
Optional Reading: Romans 2
Memory Verse for the Week: John 13:35
