As we continue our tour of Biblical characters who went through various struggles, we turn our attention to the prophet Elijah. His story can be found in 1 Kings 17-19 and 2 Kings 1-2.
His story starts out by telling King Ahab that there is going the be a severe drought and famine in the land. “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” Talk about an introduction. Hi King, my name is Elijah and I’m here to tell you that there is going to be a drought for a few years that won’t end unless I give the word. How are your grandkids doing?
Then God leads him out into hiding by the brook of Cherith. There God feeds him in the morning and the evening by sending Ravens with bread and meat in their beaks. First, eww. But, I guess if you’re starving. Second, just think the next time a bird steals your lunch, it might be going to a prophet in hiding. You never know.
Then, the brook dries up and he goes into town where he meets a widow who is literally about to use up the last bit of flour and oil she has to make some bread for she and her sons last meal. But God miraculously provides for them through the jars of flour and oil, promising that they will last until it rains again.
After all this, the son gets sick and dies. But Elijah takes the boy upstairs, uses a very different form of CPR than the ones we see on TV and cries out to God who brings the son back to life.
Some more time passes, technically ‘many days’, but in the third year of the drought God tells Elijah that he has to go back to Ahab and tell him that God is going to send rain on the earth. On the way he meets Obadiah who tells him that there is a bounty out for his life. When he meets Ahab, the king puts all the blame for the drought onto Elijah, not realizing the reason for the drought was because King Ahab and his Father had abandoned the commands of the Lord and followed the Baals.
This is where it gets interesting. Elijah lays down a ridiculous gauntlet. Gather all the prophets of Baal and all the prophets of Asherah and have them meet me at Mt. Carmel. 850 to 1, not very good odds.
It’s here that we see a very confident version of Elijah. While they’re calling on their little “g” gods to light up the barbecue, Elijah starts mocking them saying: You need to yell louder because maybe he’s using the bathroom or on a journey or asleep and you need to wake him up. The funny thing is, they listened and shouted louder, cutting themselves but no one answers.
Then it’s Elijah’s turn at bat. Again, Elijah is full of the confidence of God and after making an altar told whoever was standing there to get four jars of water and pour it on the wood. And then to do it again. I don’t know where they got the water from. They were on top of a mountain, so they may have had to take a hike, get the water and then do it again. Regardless, the wood is soaked, which is not the best way to start a fire.
Elijah prays, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” And fire comes down from heaven that doesn’t just light up the wet wood, but consumed the offering, the stones and the dust and consumed the water that was in the trench around the altar.
Elijah commands them to capture all the prophets of Baal, then tells the king that rain is coming. But it doesn’t. He looks again and still, nothing. After the 7th time looking for rain clouds, the servant comes back and says, there’s a little tiny cloud way out over the sea. And it did rain.
But, soon after that, Ahab tattles on Elijah to Jezebel who issues an execution order for Elijah. And this bold confident man goes up to Jezebel, confronts her with the same confidence he had on the mountain and she melts into a puddle. Just kidding. Elijah panics and runs for his life, finding a cave to hide in.
This is where God asks him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” to which Elijah replies: “I have served you faithfully, the people have betrayed you. I’m the only one left who worships you and now they’re trying to kill me.
How does God respond? I might respond by saying, “Buck up Elijah. Didn’t you just confidently confront 850 people and win? Where is that courage now?” But God said: “Go stand on the mount before the LORD.” Don’t you just love it when you’re in a desperate situation and God decides that it’s a good teaching opportunity?
So Elijah is out there where a great and strong wind tears the mountain apart, which is followed by a powerful earthquake and a fire. But God was not in any of these powerful displays. After all that, there is the sound of a low whisper, which can actually be translated as “thin silence.” When Elijah heard the silence he wrapped himself in his cloak and went out where God asked him again: “What are you doing here?” to which Elijah gives the same response.
Then God gives him a new command, a new mission and reminds him that there are 7,000 people who have not bowed to worship Baal – in other words, Elijah wasn’t the only one.
There’s more to Elijah’s story, but we’ll stop there for today and ask, what can we learn from Elijah’s story about suffering and struggle?
1.) When you’re doing God’s work, He will provide for you.
This whole thing started with Elijah being obedient to God. Shortly after he followed through with his mission he found himself in hiding. I can only imagine what Elijah’s thoughts were in that moment. “I go and do the thing God tells me to do and what did it get me but isolation and recycled food.”
Regardless God provided for him. Sure, it probably wasn’t the way he would have liked. And, to be honest, most of us would probably rather starve than eat food that a Raven had in its mouth. Still, God provided.
God will provide for our needs when we are doing his work. When you’re struggling and it feels like God isn’t providing, we can ask ourselves a couple of questions. 1.) Have I been faithfully doing God’s work? If the answer to that question is yes and it seems like God still isn’t providing, then 2.) Could it be that what I think I need is really what I want? Because, if we’re honest, most of us think we need things that we really don’t.
2.) When you’re doing God’s work, you may face fierce opposition, but God will protect you.
Look at the confidence Elijah had on that mountain. Can you imagine having the same confidence in the face of an army of at least 850? This wasn’t just a few people. There were probably servants and others with them too. There could have been thousands on that mountain. And Elijah opposed them all.
We can be confident, that when God gives us a mission that flies in the face of the vastly worshipped gods of our modern era that we will face opposition. If you talk about dying to yourself in a society that exalts and worships self, someone is going to have a problem. If you live a sacrificial life, take risks to share the gospel with someone who thinks they don’t need a savior, you will face opposition.
But God will protect you. You may have to endure the emotional trauma of being disliked, but God is on your side and you have His approval. And his opinion is the only one that matters.
3.) When you’re surrounded by chaos, seek the peace of God’s presence.
There are times when it feels like the whole world is against you. It felt that way to Elijah. Here he had just done this big thing for God and his reward is a hit being put out for him. So he runs in terror. It may feel like the world is against you, but none of us have experienced what Elijah did that day. But even then, the whole world wasn’t against Elijah either. It just seemed that way to him in the chaos of the now.
When we’re caught up in the chaos of the now it’s so easy to lose the permanent, eternal, never-changing perspective of the Father. It’s easy when you’re in it to lose the perspective of the one who is over it. When the chaos of life is roaring like a wind, knocking free huge boulders, when it’s shakes the earth beneath our feet and the world appears to be on fire, we need to escape the cacophony of chaos to find the peace of God’s presence. That’s the only way to get perspective, get to know the one who isn’t limited by being in it like we are.
“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper [thin silence].And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”
1 Kings 19:12
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
christian louboutin very prive the north face apex flex futurelight zip up long sleeve top rutgers scarlet knights top of the world ncaa mudd 2 tone mesh cap cost of oakley prescription sunglasses mens new england patriots 15 reggie wayne white road nfl nike elite jersey
muitotosto http://www.muitotosto.com/
moncler agnes coat north face mont triclimate kansas city chiefs sideline legend authentic logo dri fit nfl t shirt white regency womens fashion how to knit a newborn hat essay white floral print chiffon halterneck maxi dress
statencom http://www.statencom.com/
j crew mens short sleeve button down dark mauve dress moon earrings pandora black barcelona kit moncler lightning jacket moncler coat red womens
eolziwf http://www.eolziwf.com/
marshall amp sb tailpin oakley chartreuse moncler allen iverson jersey swingman flamethrower jordan clarkson kevin durant gsw jersey
hyo-kin http://www.hyo-kin.com/
nike presto 2015 adidas zx 500 nero true blu snake red bottoms bloody shoes washington capitals font youth bergeron jersey men nike oakland raiders 77 matt shaughnessy limited black team color nfl jersey sale
novynha http://www.novynha.com/
my first easter outfit boy miami dolphins trapper hat 07 t shirt basket lebron james adidas stan smith noir and argent elite terence newman mens jersey minnesota vikings 23 home purple nfl dallas cowboys caps 2018 billig
postaim http://www.postaim.com/
ralph lauren striped polo popular shoes for teenage guys 2020 disney minnie mouse ring moncler winter coats jackets unique nfl gear rockstar energy hats australia time
karetcustom http://www.karetcustom.com/
usps sleeveless shirts nike sneaker nero lids yankees snapback for eu jordans 15 moncler jacket fur hood womens double zip travel organizer in signature leather
sevilorgu http://www.sevilorgu.com/
princess mermaid dress mlb jerseys atlanta braves 23 diaz white jerseys jordan 1 blue white ray ban sunglasses rb3569 miami dolphins nike shirt amon ra st brown lions jersey
blturnerintl http://www.blturnerintl.com/
I must express my passion for your kindness in support of men who absolutely need help on your subject matter. Your real dedication to getting the message all-around ended up being particularly beneficial and has regularly permitted regular people just like me to reach their ambitions. Your invaluable hints and tips signifies this much a person like me and still more to my office colleagues. Thanks a ton; from each one of us.
I have to get across my gratitude for your generosity supporting those who must have guidance on your concept. Your real commitment to passing the message up and down became amazingly significant and have surely enabled people just like me to get to their desired goals. The invaluable publication denotes so much to me and substantially more to my office workers. Regards; from all of us.
I precisely wanted to thank you very much all over again. I’m not certain the things that I would’ve handled in the absence of those concepts revealed by you regarding this subject. It has been a real frustrating matter for me, nevertheless seeing the very well-written mode you handled it took me to jump for delight. Now i am grateful for the information and even hope you recognize what a great job you have been getting into training men and women using your blog post. Probably you have never come across any of us.
nike presto fly junior black nike grateful dead new warriors shirt 798397nbcb best baby clothes online phone purse cover
lpiinews http://www.lpiinews.com/
cream city bucks t shirt san francisco giants 5 panel hat not working how to knit a childs hat with straight needles yellow smart girl outfits houston texans jj watt jersey men nike new england patriots 12 tom brady game red alternate nfl jersey sale
barconnyc http://www.barconnyc.com/
la mode plus clothing nike flex experience black and pink wholesale ny yankees cap black brewers adames jersey schoffel oakham fleece gilet casetify custom grid case
tyvano http://www.tyvano.com/
womens nike 90s ralph lauren down gilet s21 ultra loopy case new york mets hat nike leggings the north face mens altier triclimate jacket peyton manning authentic jersey
lafdental http://www.lafdental.com/
jordan 1 svart and hvit 2014 elite cornelius lucas mens jersey detroit lions 77 alternate blue nfl moncler parka womens polo debardeur lacoste femme harlem nights costumes plus size nike blazer lux negro denim
lisawilbur http://www.lisawilbur.com/
I as well as my pals were found to be looking through the excellent guidelines located on your web blog then immediately came up with a horrible suspicion I had not thanked the web blog owner for those strategies. All the men had been so joyful to read them and have now truly been using them. Thank you for turning out to be so accommodating and for making a choice on some important subject areas millions of individuals are really wanting to understand about. My very own honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to you sooner.
I needed to put you that little note to thank you so much again about the pleasant secrets you’ve discussed on this website. This is really tremendously open-handed of you to convey publicly what a number of people could possibly have sold for an e book to generate some money on their own, certainly seeing that you might have done it if you considered necessary. These guidelines also worked to be the great way to comprehend other people online have similar keenness really like my personal own to find out very much more on the subject of this matter. Certainly there are millions of more enjoyable periods up front for folks who discover your blog post.
I needed to write you the bit of word to finally say thanks a lot over again for the unique suggestions you’ve provided on this site. This is simply shockingly generous of people like you to make easily just what many individuals might have distributed for an ebook in order to make some bucks on their own, mostly seeing that you could have done it if you ever wanted. These creative ideas likewise worked like a great way to realize that the rest have the same eagerness similar to my personal own to find out many more on the topic of this matter. I believe there are numerous more pleasant instances up front for individuals who find out your blog post.
white and khaki air force 1 moncler palm angels jacke
tamrecording http://www.tamrecording.com/
black and white air jordan 7 uk shoes pandora pear shaped earrings jimmy graham jersey bears nike hypervenom phantom iii fg black white yellow shoes detachable pom pom beanie north face himalayan windstopper
nedaparvaz http://www.nedaparvaz.com/
nike washington redskins sideline legend authentic logo dri fit nfl t shirt steel grey sale washington nationals cap space hockey division jumpsuit girls dress doc martens chelsea boots crazy horse plus size red floral dress cindy medium saffiano leather dome satchel
flstudiopro http://www.flstudiopro.com/
logo nike louis vuitton cool custom hats gray and purple jordan 1 marc jacobs the ripstop messenger bag red shox tl platform converse gold
classfaqs http://www.classfaqs.com/
nike magista orden ag uk voucher nike air max tavas mens all black grey uk nike air max 90 br red lebron 11 low white and green monster energy hat flexfit yupoong hat air jordan 2 retro decon quiz
tdouglaslaw http://www.tdouglaslaw.com/
boston red sox lobster hat hatching new jordans coming out in 2021 moncler liriope black garden wedding outfit for guest nike air max flair white price news lebron james shoes black and purple
mamnbeb http://www.mamnbeb.com/
san francisco giants wool hat xtreme hardwear necklace gold moncler coat black friday sale pittsburgh pirates winter hat used fantasy girl outfits nike darwin womens all red green uk
boominets http://www.boominets.com/
My spouse and i got now relieved that Raymond managed to conclude his web research from your ideas he discovered out of the web site. It is now and again perplexing to simply be releasing helpful tips other people could have been selling. And we already know we have the website owner to appreciate for that. Most of the explanations you’ve made, the simple site menu, the relationships your site aid to create – it is most powerful, and it is assisting our son and us reckon that this idea is amusing, and that is really important. Many thanks for the whole lot!
Thanks a lot for providing individuals with remarkably special opportunity to read from this web site. It’s always so beneficial and as well , jam-packed with a good time for me and my office fellow workers to search your site on the least thrice every week to read through the latest guidance you have. And definitely, I’m so always impressed considering the breathtaking points served by you. Selected two ideas on this page are without a doubt the very best we have had.
Thank you a lot for giving everyone an exceptionally brilliant possiblity to read articles and blog posts from this site. It is often very kind and also packed with a lot of fun for me and my office co-workers to search the blog the equivalent of three times in a week to read the newest issues you have. And indeed, I’m usually impressed concerning the splendid principles you serve. Certain 2 tips on this page are unequivocally the most impressive we’ve had.
palm angels long sleeve crop top prada bag imitation nike air max 720 black jd blue and red jordan 5 new york yankees hat toddlers discount tickets womens denali 2 hoodie
smileytips http://www.smileytips.com/
buy korean clothes online usa pandora necklace extender rose gold reebok high tops black mens ray ban rouge femme moncler winter coats jackets polamalu reebok jersey
projoust http://www.projoust.com/
I as well as my buddies appeared to be digesting the nice solutions on your web site and so the sudden I got an awful feeling I never expressed respect to the web site owner for those techniques. Those guys became certainly glad to see them and have in effect in truth been having fun with those things. Thank you for turning out to be simply accommodating and for deciding upon variety of impressive subject matter most people are really wanting to learn about. Our sincere regret for not expressing gratitude to sooner.
I needed to create you the very little observation to be able to thank you very much as before for the wonderful secrets you have shown at this time. It was really extremely open-handed of you giving freely what exactly a number of people could possibly have supplied for an e book in making some bucks for their own end, mostly now that you might well have tried it in case you decided. These techniques as well served to provide a fantastic way to know that someone else have a similar keenness like my personal own to know very much more around this matter. I am sure there are numerous more pleasurable times in the future for folks who read carefully your site.
baby pink summer dress nike air max 97 slime halloween the north face summit series puffer jacket lakers city edition jersey black mamba miami dolphins shoes reebok for cheap nike lunar gato green
caralarma http://www.caralarma.com/
nike free 5.0 womens all black grey san francisco giants 40 madison bumgarner cream jersey brigitte bardot white dress merino polo shirt long sleeve air force 1 gore tex sale pandora minnie mouse charm bracelet
blminter http://www.blminter.net/
Thanks so much for giving everyone such a special possiblity to read in detail from this site. It’s always so great and also full of amusement for me and my office acquaintances to visit your blog no less than 3 times in one week to find out the newest guides you have got. Of course, I am just actually fulfilled for the cool creative concepts served by you. Selected 1 points in this posting are easily the finest we have had.
I want to express some appreciation to the writer just for rescuing me from this particular scenario. Right after surfing through the the web and meeting solutions which were not productive, I thought my entire life was done. Being alive devoid of the solutions to the problems you’ve solved by way of your entire write-up is a serious case, and ones which may have in a negative way damaged my entire career if I had not noticed your blog post. Your personal capability and kindness in taking care of all areas was tremendous. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not encountered such a subject like this. I can also at this time look forward to my future. Thank you so much for the expert and effective guide. I will not think twice to suggest your site to any person who wants and needs guidance about this topic.
Thank you so much for providing individuals with a very splendid chance to read from here. It’s usually very pleasurable and also jam-packed with fun for me personally and my office acquaintances to search the blog a minimum of thrice in 7 days to read through the fresh secrets you have. And of course, I’m always happy considering the fabulous tricks you give. Selected two facts in this posting are really the very best we have ever had.
retro jordan 19 xix all red grey devin mccourty jersey womens sparkling honeycomb hexagon collier necklace derrick rose shoes amazon the hundreds bucket hats quiksilver nike air jordan 1 retro high dark mocha fiyat
dostindian http://www.dostindian.com/
2015 mens team usa 32 jonathan quick captain america fashion navy blue jersey baltimore ravens nike gear nike air force 1 lux italy coach wallet plaid vancouver canucks sweater for cheap office lacoste trainers
nospinw http://www.nospinw.com/
I needed to put you that bit of observation to be able to give many thanks over again relating to the precious concepts you have documented on this page. It was simply strangely generous with you to allow easily what exactly a lot of people could possibly have offered as an ebook to get some bucks for themselves, most notably seeing that you might have done it if you ever decided. The techniques also worked as the good way to fully grasp other individuals have the identical zeal really like my own to figure out a good deal more with reference to this matter. I am sure there are numerous more pleasant occasions ahead for folks who read through your website.
I wanted to type a simple word to thank you for those remarkable recommendations you are giving out on this site. My time-consuming internet look up has finally been rewarded with pleasant tips to share with my family members. I ‘d assume that many of us website visitors actually are rather endowed to exist in a fabulous network with many outstanding individuals with very beneficial solutions. I feel very much blessed to have encountered your web site and look forward to some more fun moments reading here. Thanks once again for everything.
I wish to express some thanks to you for rescuing me from this instance. Just after looking throughout the world wide web and meeting concepts that were not helpful, I thought my entire life was done. Living devoid of the strategies to the problems you have solved by way of this blog post is a crucial case, as well as ones which might have badly damaged my career if I hadn’t discovered your site. Your main know-how and kindness in dealing with almost everything was important. I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come upon such a point like this. I am able to at this moment look ahead to my future. Thank you so much for your specialized and effective help. I will not hesitate to propose your blog to any individual who would need guidelines on this issue.
nike air pegasus 29 kvinners hvit lulus evening dresses midi slip dress with slit san francisco giants sun hat pattern adidas terrex ax2r beta mid climawarm turnlock saddle crossbody
sartelcit http://www.sartelcit.com/
nike hypervenom football trainers extra large body warmers 4xl saints jersey collar neck designs for dresses jordan retro 9 nero citrus long sleeve polo wool
marenahomes http://www.marenahomes.com/
I precisely wanted to thank you very much yet again. I am not sure the things I would have carried out without the solutions provided by you directly on this problem. It has been a real alarming issue in my view, nevertheless noticing the skilled way you solved the issue took me to weep with happiness. Now i am grateful for your guidance and then wish you realize what a great job that you are carrying out instructing some other people through a blog. Most likely you have never met all of us.
I intended to post you one bit of note to be able to give many thanks over again with the remarkable tactics you’ve contributed in this article. This is quite pretty open-handed with you to convey unreservedly precisely what many individuals would’ve sold as an ebook to help make some dough on their own, especially considering that you might well have tried it if you desired. These secrets also served to be the easy way to be certain that many people have a similar desire just as my own to know the truth a good deal more around this condition. I’m sure there are millions of more pleasant occasions in the future for those who go through your site.
I simply wished to thank you very much all over again. I do not know the things that I might have taken care of in the absence of these pointers contributed by you regarding that theme. It was before a real scary concern in my opinion, however , coming across the well-written approach you managed that forced me to jump for fulfillment. I’m just happy for this support and even expect you find out what an amazing job you were providing instructing the rest through a site. More than likely you haven’t come across all of us.
I simply desired to thank you so much all over again. I’m not certain the things that I would’ve sorted out without the actual ways provided by you relating to that theme. It was a very terrifying case in my view, however , encountering a new professional manner you managed the issue made me to jump for gladness. I am just thankful for your work and believe you realize what a powerful job you were undertaking training the rest through the use of your websites. I am sure you haven’t got to know all of us.
My husband and i were so lucky Peter could do his homework from your precious recommendations he discovered using your weblog. It’s not at all simplistic to just possibly be giving freely hints which some people might have been selling. And we take into account we have got the website owner to appreciate for this. All the explanations you have made, the simple website navigation, the relationships your site assist to foster – it’s got most extraordinary, and it’s facilitating our son and our family imagine that the matter is satisfying, and that’s highly mandatory. Thank you for the whole lot!
I am commenting to let you understand of the notable encounter my cousin’s girl undergone going through your webblog. She came to understand a good number of things, with the inclusion of what it is like to possess an amazing giving nature to have many others effortlessly learn about certain complex issues. You really did more than her expectations. Thanks for supplying these powerful, trustworthy, explanatory and even easy tips on this topic to Evelyn.
I wanted to write down a remark so as to express gratitude to you for all the fantastic strategies you are writing on this site. My considerable internet search has at the end been honored with reputable know-how to write about with my best friends. I ‘d mention that many of us site visitors are rather lucky to dwell in a perfect place with many brilliant people with interesting tips and hints. I feel extremely privileged to have discovered your web site and look forward to many more excellent moments reading here. Thanks once again for all the details.
I happen to be commenting to make you understand what a nice discovery my daughter gained browsing yuor web blog. She mastered several things, most notably what it’s like to possess a marvelous giving mood to get men and women without hassle know specified problematic issues. You actually did more than our own desires. Many thanks for producing such essential, dependable, explanatory not to mention easy thoughts on this topic to Sandra.