In 1 Kings 18, we read of how King Ahab missed the opportunity to enjoy God’s blessings on the nation of Israel. He was a weak man who allowed his wife, Queen Jezebel, to rule him and lead him into idolatry. The Lord sent Elijah, a man of great courage, to warn Ahab about the people’s disobedience to God. Elijah told King Ahab to go to Mount Carmel and let the Lord judge. 

On that day, 850 idolaters, priests and prophets gathered, praying to their gods, shouting and ranting the whole day, but nothing happened. When it was Elijah’s turn, he took 12 stones and built an altar. He then placed wood and four barrels of water over it and also filled the trench with water. Elijah then called upon the name of the Lord. God answered Elijah’s prayer as fire came down and burnt the sacrifice. Elijah’s prayer was answered because God’s name was at stake. The people believed as they saw the sacrifice burnt. Elijah went up to Mount Carmel because he was “jealous” or loyal to his God. The idolaters had insulted the name of the Lord. 

When Queen Jezebel heard of what Elijah had done, she was angry and threatened to kill him. Elijah ran for his life into the wilderness. In his despair, Elijah cried out to God and said he has had enough. He was depressed and prayed for the Lord to take his life (1 Kings 19:4) but God did not answer his prayer. Instead, God sent an angel to give him food. The angel of the Lord came the second time and touched him, and told him to arise and eat for there is work to do — to anoint Elisha, his successor. God also told Elijah that he was not the only one left — seven thousand others in Israel had also not bowed their knees to Baal nor kissed it. Eventually, God answered Elijah’s prayer, but in an unexpected way. He sent a chariot of fire to take Elijah home to glory. 

Just like you and I, Elijah was a man of flesh. He felt discouraged and was miserable when he knew Jezebel was determined to kill him. When the flesh takes over, faith flees. We must trust in God or the flesh will be in charge. When we are in trouble, we must go to God in prayer and listen to that still small voice. Our loneliness will then disappear. This is a promise to anyone who believes in God (Matthew 28:20). We must humble ourselves and study God’s Word so that we will know His power. When we put our trust in the Lord, He will show us the way. 

“…Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world…”

(Matthew 28:20)

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