January 17, 2025, 1 Kings 19:9-18
January 17, 2025, 1 Kings 19:9-18
9 There he
came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to
him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said,
“I have been very jealous for the Lord,
the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your
covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the
sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it
away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on
the mount before the Lord.”
And behold, the Lord passed
by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the
rocks before the Lord, but
the Lord was not in the
wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the
earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but
the Lord was not in the
fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And
when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and
stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him
and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He
said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have
forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets
with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it
away.” 15 And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the
wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king
over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall
anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of
Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And
the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death,
and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to
death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in
Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has
not kissed him.”
I find it so interesting
that Elijah had no fear when he stood before the nation’s leaders, 850 false
prophets and King Ahab, yet we see him succumbed to fear as a result of a
message from the queen We see him so discouraged that he tells God he is ready
to die. But God, strong and mighty, provides for Elijah, emotionally,
physically and spiritually until Elijah is ready to continue in service. This
passage makes me think of our preachers and our ministers. I wonder how often
they feel discouraged and yet God takes care of all of their needs. Pray today
for those you know in ministry and offer words of encouragement to them.
Debbie Walker
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