Focus Chapters:
- 1 Kings 17:8-24
- 1 Kings 18-19
- 1 Kings 20:1-22
Standout Verse(s):
THE ACTION
1 Kings 19:14 NLT
He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
THE REACTION
1 Kings 19:15-18 NLT
Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimsh to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
Observation (s):
- Elijah, in his continued persecution, began to feel like he was the only one left who was faithful to God.
He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
- God set in motion a plan that would handle all of Elijah’s enemies and provided Elijah with a protege, to help him carry the weight.
Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimsh to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha!
- God also reminded him that he was not the only one in Israel who was still faithful to Him.
Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
Application:
Have you ever been in a situation where it felt like you were the only who “got it!” Like you were the only one who was enlightened or following a certain path. For me, moments like these occurred in high school. Being the only Apostolic among my mostly Christian friends was a lonely journey. Oftentimes they could not understand why I only wore skirts or why I couldn’t hang out at the movies with them. Like Elijah, I felt like I was the only one left in my school. This perception changed, when God showed me that there were many others of the Apostolic faith in my school. I was not the only one!
Growing into adulthood, I experienced similar situations. I came into contact with people who mocked my beliefs or sought to change me into what they perceived as “better”. I was even mocked by Christians of different denominations. I grew weary of fending off these incidents and often questioned God as to why I was the only one experiencing these behaviours. Again, He took the time to slowly surround me with people of a similar belief system who also shared their similar experiences. I felt heartened.
Sometimes it will feel like you are the only one left who is standing for God and bearing the cross of that stance. Don’t let your fear play tricks on your mind. Take heart! You are not the only one left who is faithful to God.
