1 Kings 19

Elijah had shown great courage in His contest with the prophets of Baal. But now he faced the wrath of an enraged queen, Jezebel, who was dedicated to idolatry. “He was afraid, and ran for his life.... And he asked that he might die.”

Elijah was tempted to think that his life was over. But the Lord calmly insisted that this was not true. He directed him concerning events that would take place in Elijah's own life and beyond.

Elijah would have a role to play in the future of Syria and Israel. But God's word to Elijah concerning the future kings of these nations would be accomplished through Elijah's successor, Elisha. See 2 Kings 8 and 9.

God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. Consider these words of the Apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 1:8-9:

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

Elijah was confronted with the future according to God. He needed to get up and get going in the strength of One who is able to raise the dead. The Lord had work for him to do.

God's plan for Israel and Syria involved both judgment and mercy. Many would fall by the sword, but the Lord would rescue more than this solitary prophet. Though Elijah considered in his own heart that he was all alone, God would spare thousands who had not bowed the knee to Baal.

When the Son of God came as Prophet and King, He also offered up His own life for us as Priest and Sacrifice. He was truly alone in this work. Yet what He accomplished was not for Himself alone, but for all who would be kept by His sustaining grace.

Even the most gifted servants of the Lord do not know the secrets that God has kept to Himself unless the Lord chooses to reaveal them. In the face of the unknown, we can still trust God today. “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.” (Psalm 37:5)

It is our privilege to rise up again today and to follow Jesus Christ.