These Are The Days Of Elijah

Last week’s post, although it didn’t collect any posted comments, did elicit some reaction. I admit that it

A photo of the Jezreel Valley from Mount Carmel which I took when we were privileged to be there in 2008

sounded more than a little pessimistic. The world is not getting better. It is getting worse. And that in spite of all the popular rhetoric to the contrary. The far left has always insisted on crediting themselves for what they claim to be great progress for mankind. They continue to do so, but they chant their rhetoric with their fingers in their ears and their eyes closed to what is really going on in the world. This always hits a raw nerve with me because it is so incredibly hypocritical, which is doubly ironic when we consider that hypocrisy is one of the chief accusations they always level against the more conservative voices in our society.

Anyway, on a cheerier note, Jesus is still Lord and we know who wins. How do we keep from getting bummed out over all of the bad news we see happening around us? Sometimes it’s not easy because there is a lot going on. But, the news is not really all that new.

The OT account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel is a favourite of many. It is a well known high-point of OT revelation occurring at a very low-point in Israel’s history. Elijah faces down the 450 false prophets and God shows Himself very much in control. But it’s what happens after that scene which I draw your attention to.

Wimpy king Ahab runs off and tells the wicked Queen Jezebel all about her prophets’ disgrace and  demise at the hands of Elijah and she responds by sending Elijah a very threatening message basically telling him that she would have him dead within 24 hours. Elijah’s response was to run for his life, literally. (1Kings 19:3) On the run, Elijah, after many days, eventually finds himself utterly exhausted and afraid, huddled in a cave as far away from Jezebel as he could get and feeling very, very alone. (CF 1Kings 19:10 “… I am the only one left…”) God keeps asking Elijah, “What are you doing here Elijah?”, to which Elijah keeps responding,  “Israel has rejected You … I am the only one left” (See 1Kings 19:14)

There in the cave God gently instructs Elijah, and among other things, His words include the following: “I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.”

Things can seem pretty grim as we look out over our society and see some of the things we see taking place. But, often unseen, are the thousands (millions in our day) who hold fast to the Lord and His ways. We are not alone. Even better than that. Jesus said, “Behold, I am with you, even to the end of the age”, just like God was with Elijah. What we see is not everything that is. There is a whole lot more going on in our world than what makes the news. That’s for sure. In the words of a recent popular song by the Newsboys, “My God’s not dead, He’s surely alive. He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion.” These are the days of Elijah.

Newsboys 'Like A Lion'