Click to read 1 Kings 19
Synopsis
All that Jezebel had done to further King Ahab's reign and power had gone to waste as Elijah killed her 850 prophets, proving to the nation that they had followed the wrong gods. She was furious and wanted Elijah dead. For Elijah, the stress of the two major spiritual events took a toil on his physical and emotional states. Despite the great victories God had given, Elijah was frightened of Jezebel and ran away.
He needed some rest and recharging and God knew. God took it upon Himself to gently strengthen Elijah. He had more work to do for God and his tasks were still incomplete. In this chapter, we also learn that while God can demonstrate His mighty power in the dramatic ways, He chose to speak to Elijah in a soft whisper. Elijah need a soft touch from God and certainly not a harsh reprimand and God knew.
The close encounter with God set Elijah up again to complete the tasks that God had for him to do.
Major Verses
V 1-2 - Jezebel was furious at Elijah for killing her prophets because they were helping her to perpetuate Ahab's and her kingdom. The prophets spoke what she wanted to hear as well as make both the king and queen the nation's deities and prophesying their future power and glory. Now that Elijah had eliminated all her supporters by showing the power of the true God, her pride and authority were severely damaged.
What I learn
When people are not following the true God, they can be so power hungry that they become a god of their own. When the true God is revealed, these people will loose all that they had worked for.
V3-9 - Elijah must have been over stretched and stressed both physically and emotionally by the two major events (battle with the prophets and calling for rain). Though both ended victoriously, Elijah was suddenly afraid of Jezebel's threat and he ran away. He even asked the Lord to take his life from him. But God is good and sent His angels to nurse him.
What I learn
Let's be careful to know that often times, discouragement can set in after a spiritual victory. Do not take for granted but exercise care to ensure that we do become of the devil's toothless threats after we win a major spiritual battle. Let us remember that as in Elijah's case, we need rest and food (both physical and spiritual ones) to move on to the next task. And God will provide these for us.
V10 - Elijah thought that he was the only person left who was true to God. He thought that he was alone in the fight as he ran for his life from Jezebel. He had absolutely forgotten that there were many others, such as Obadiah, who were still faithful to God.
What I learn
When we are down and discouraged, we tend to think that we are alone. But we must know that we are not; God is with us all the time. He alone is sufficient for us.
V11-13 - The Lord demonstrated His sovereignty and power over His creation through the wind, earthquake and fire. Yet after this powerful show, He whispered with a gentle voice to Elijah.
What I learn
Are we always looking for God only in something big, such as a healing service, a Christian conference or in highly visible leaders? If we do so, we may miss Him because He often whispers reassuring words to those who seek Him humbly. Elijah knew it was God's voice despite it been a soft and gentle whisper. We must quieten our heart and mind and be prepared to hear His gentle whispers.
V19-21 - The cloak was the most important piece of clothing a person could own during those times. It could be used as a pledge or torn to pieces to show grief. Elijah was declaring Elisha to be his successor by putting the cloak upon him. Elisha responded obediently. By killing the oxen, Elisha was declaring his strong commitment to follow Elijah. He was cutting off his past life as a farmer and moving forward as God's chosen prophet.
What I learn
When God calls us, would we be ready to declare our commitment to His cause and direction? Would we give up our past glory and move forward to declare His glory? These are soul searching questions that each of us will have to answer. Let's prepare our heart to respond to Him obediently.
Summary
As Elijah did, there will be times that we feel down and discouraged even after major spiritual victories. We must always remind ourself that God is with us in ALL circumstances and that He will nurse us to "health". Let us not miss His voice because we expect that He will only speak in majestic ways. Many times, He speaks to us in reassuring and gentle whispers.
Leave your comments...
Up next
God punished the two kingdoms for their ungodliness by allowing other nations to war against them. Coming up on 3rd Mar.
Synopsis
All that Jezebel had done to further King Ahab's reign and power had gone to waste as Elijah killed her 850 prophets, proving to the nation that they had followed the wrong gods. She was furious and wanted Elijah dead. For Elijah, the stress of the two major spiritual events took a toil on his physical and emotional states. Despite the great victories God had given, Elijah was frightened of Jezebel and ran away.
He needed some rest and recharging and God knew. God took it upon Himself to gently strengthen Elijah. He had more work to do for God and his tasks were still incomplete. In this chapter, we also learn that while God can demonstrate His mighty power in the dramatic ways, He chose to speak to Elijah in a soft whisper. Elijah need a soft touch from God and certainly not a harsh reprimand and God knew.
The close encounter with God set Elijah up again to complete the tasks that God had for him to do.
Major Verses
V 1-2 - Jezebel was furious at Elijah for killing her prophets because they were helping her to perpetuate Ahab's and her kingdom. The prophets spoke what she wanted to hear as well as make both the king and queen the nation's deities and prophesying their future power and glory. Now that Elijah had eliminated all her supporters by showing the power of the true God, her pride and authority were severely damaged.
What I learn
When people are not following the true God, they can be so power hungry that they become a god of their own. When the true God is revealed, these people will loose all that they had worked for.
V3-9 - Elijah must have been over stretched and stressed both physically and emotionally by the two major events (battle with the prophets and calling for rain). Though both ended victoriously, Elijah was suddenly afraid of Jezebel's threat and he ran away. He even asked the Lord to take his life from him. But God is good and sent His angels to nurse him.
What I learn
Let's be careful to know that often times, discouragement can set in after a spiritual victory. Do not take for granted but exercise care to ensure that we do become of the devil's toothless threats after we win a major spiritual battle. Let us remember that as in Elijah's case, we need rest and food (both physical and spiritual ones) to move on to the next task. And God will provide these for us.
V10 - Elijah thought that he was the only person left who was true to God. He thought that he was alone in the fight as he ran for his life from Jezebel. He had absolutely forgotten that there were many others, such as Obadiah, who were still faithful to God.
What I learn
When we are down and discouraged, we tend to think that we are alone. But we must know that we are not; God is with us all the time. He alone is sufficient for us.
V11-13 - The Lord demonstrated His sovereignty and power over His creation through the wind, earthquake and fire. Yet after this powerful show, He whispered with a gentle voice to Elijah.
What I learn
Are we always looking for God only in something big, such as a healing service, a Christian conference or in highly visible leaders? If we do so, we may miss Him because He often whispers reassuring words to those who seek Him humbly. Elijah knew it was God's voice despite it been a soft and gentle whisper. We must quieten our heart and mind and be prepared to hear His gentle whispers.
V19-21 - The cloak was the most important piece of clothing a person could own during those times. It could be used as a pledge or torn to pieces to show grief. Elijah was declaring Elisha to be his successor by putting the cloak upon him. Elisha responded obediently. By killing the oxen, Elisha was declaring his strong commitment to follow Elijah. He was cutting off his past life as a farmer and moving forward as God's chosen prophet.
What I learn
When God calls us, would we be ready to declare our commitment to His cause and direction? Would we give up our past glory and move forward to declare His glory? These are soul searching questions that each of us will have to answer. Let's prepare our heart to respond to Him obediently.
Summary
As Elijah did, there will be times that we feel down and discouraged even after major spiritual victories. We must always remind ourself that God is with us in ALL circumstances and that He will nurse us to "health". Let us not miss His voice because we expect that He will only speak in majestic ways. Many times, He speaks to us in reassuring and gentle whispers.
Leave your comments...
Up next
God punished the two kingdoms for their ungodliness by allowing other nations to war against them. Coming up on 3rd Mar.
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