December 12, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Kings? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Kings 19 (NIV)
Elijah Flees to Horeb
1Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”.......Continue Reading
1Kings 19
I opened up and read chapter 1 of Romans today and was pretty moved by how expressive Paul is in wanting to spread the good news to the Romans.
“For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, “The person who is put right with God through faith shall live.””
Romans 1:17 GNTD
https://bible.com/bible/69/rom.1.17.GNTD
1 Kings 19
I love that God seems to give Elijah a minute in this chapter to feel scared, depressed, and frustrated. He still provides for Elijah what he needs and when God thinks he has had enough time He gives him the thing he needs most which is a reminder of His presences and power. Mostly by bringing all the things he is not….the wind, earthquake, fire….and is just that still small voice that He reveals himself to us all in all the time as long as we are listening!
It is unfortunate that Elijah runs away in fear after running so triumphantly after his great victory and affirmation of faith on Mt Carmel, but it happens. After a great success it is important not to get prideful or insecure, and with Jezebel after him, Elijah takes the later option. How important it is for us to encourage our own souls and cling to the truth when the lies of the enemy and the circumstances of life have got us down. The reality is we are more than conquerors. The reality is we have supreme confidence, power and purpose through our great God. The reality is God is always working even though it seems like we are wasting away. In and through Christ there is ALWAYS a reason for hope, peace, joy, love and grace. When our souls are not on board with that, we need to encourage our souls with the realities in Christ that bring those things and build ourselves up in faith. It is nice too that God does meet us where we are and at times provides that encouragement Himself, pointing us to the realities of who He is and what He is doing….7,000 have not bowed to Baal, you are not alone! It is also neat how God does that here. First He asks Elijah a question, what are you doing? God allows Elijah to express and by virtue of that to process what he is thinking and what he is going through. Second God reveals His person and presence. Isn’t it awesome that we have a God who is not in the things that would make us afraid, but in the still small voice that comforts and encourages? And third, He Informs Elijah of the truth. I have raised up someone to continue your work as prophet and there are those who remain faithful to me.
Such important things for us to remember when the things of our own world can make us feel despondent and alone. God is always with us, and better and bigger than we think He is, and He is always working and has a plan. Amen?
Amen
A great chapter. Despite the real physical danger and fear that Elijah is in, God is truly with him. He provides for everything. An angel wakes him up, feeds him and preps him to see God. God provides His word and even has a conversation with Elijah. He offers encouragement through food, guidance, specific instructions, knowledge that he is not alone, and even specific persons that God has chosen to carry on the work.