1 kings 18 41 - 19 9
The last time we saw Elijah at Mount Carmel. He had a great victory over the prophets of Baal.
Everything was going well for Elijah. But here we see in chapter 19 the people are still not following God.
1/. Opposition in ministry. Verses 1 and 2.
Ahab recounted to Jezebel what Elijah had done. Not What God had done. He told how the prophets had been killed. Ahab blamed Elijah for what had happened. Ahab can't see past Elijah. He was an eyewitness to what had happened but he still couldn't see what God was doing. How discouraging that must have been for Elijah.
Verse 2 gets even worse. Jezebel realises her prophets have been killed and she sends a bitter message to Elijah. She threatens to have him killed.
There will always be opposition when we are in God's will. People will attack us when we proclaim our beliefs.
2. Darkness in ministry. Verses 3 and 4.
Jezebel had sought to scare Elijah. He was filled with fear. He runs. He goes further and further. Nothing is going to stop him in his quest to escape. He leaves his servant and goes even further. Finally he stops under a broom tree and prays. He asks God to take his life. He is so scared he thinks he would be better dead. He is so discouraged.
We can all reach that place of darkness. James reminds us Elijah was a man just like us. God done great things through him as He can do great things through us.
Elijah's fear gave him a wrong focus. The threat hadn't come from God but from man.
Elijah was on the verge of physical exhaustion. He had run himself out and was near on empty.
Elijah was isolated. He had no other believers to encourage him. He even left his servant. Believers should be part of the church family to help and encourage each other.
Elijah fell asleep and an angel touched him.
3/ God's grace in ministry. Verses 5 - 9.
The angel touched him. The voice directed him to bread and water. Just what he needed. God knows exactly our needs. He provides. No matter how much Elijah ran. God was there. God knew exactly what he needed. He was strengthened for the rest of his journey.
God's grace is sufficient for us. What a promise form God.
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