Today we read the story of Elijah the prophet. (1 Kings 17-19) It is the story of God raising up a man to speak for Him at a time when Israel was in crisis, both of character and direction. Ahab and Jezebel are ruling over the nation and they had turned the people's hearts to the false god, Baal.
Elijah meets with king Ahab and tells him the God of Israel had determined that the nation would face a drought, with "neither dew nor rain" for several years. Elijah was told to leave the area and go to the Kerith Ravine and that the ravens would feed him. He did and they did. He was later told to go live with a widow and her son and that they would provide for him. He did and they did. We all know the story of the never ending flour jar. The point is this... Elijah was obedient to God and God took care of him. God provided for his needs! He used ravens and a bottomless flour jar to take care of His servant. God's provision is always adequate. His provision is sure.
We might want more, we might think that His provision leaves something to be desired. Paul put it this way in Philippians 4:11-13... Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Whatever our situation, our circumstance God will surely provide for His servant. The unsure part of the equation is our attitude about the provision.
During this time away, Ahab and Jezebel had "abandoned the Lord's commands and followed the Baals". So, God sent Elijah to Ahab to confront him about his worship of other gods and his leading His people away from Him. Elijah calls for all the prophets of Baal and all the people from Israel to meet him on Mount Carmel. He proposes a contest between his God and their gods. Each would place a sacrifice on the alter and then pray for god/God to consume the sacrifice by fire. The outcome of the test would determine whose god was the true God.
The prophets of Baal accepted the test and placed their sacrifice on the alter and began to call on their god to send fire. They called on Baal from morning until noon and shouted "O, Baal, answer us!". But there was no response. Elijah encouraged them to shout louder. Perhaps Baal was busy or traveling and needed to hear a louder call. They shouted all the louder until evening, still no fire. Then Elijah prepared his sacrifice and had water dumped on the alter, twelve large jars until the water filled the trench around the sacrifice. Then Elijah prayed. He called on God to demonstrate to all the children of Israel that He was the one true God. "The fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench". God's power was clearly seen by all. The punishment for the priests of Baal? They were slaughtered and their teaching was ended. His power is sure.
The drought was ended and the rains came. You would think all would be well in Israel, but you would be wrong. Jezebel is unhappy with the outcome of the "test" and so she sent word to Elijah that she would have him killed by the next day. I find it interesting that the prophet who had just witnessed the awesome power of God would run for his life in fear of Jezebel. I would never do anything like that, would I? I would never gather with the saints on Sunday and hear of God's goodness and power and forget what I learned on Monday, would I?
Elijah hides in a cave and God visits him there. He gives him His protection and stands him up and sends him on a mission. I like that... Elijah trembling in a cave and God calls him out to send him off to work. Are you afraid of someones reaction to the message about Jesus? Are you cowering in a cave, avoiding everyone around you? God says to each of us, "come on out, leave your fears in the cave, I will protect you and I have a mission for you". Elijah is told that even though things look bad, he is not alone. God assures him that there are 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Sometimes we feel alone, but God says, "you don't know how many faithful believers I have". He tells us not to worry about those things, He has them under control, just get to work. Fulfill the mission. His protection is sure.
Sometimes we forget who God is. We get concerned with the day to day and God seems distant to us. Elijah's story reminds us that God is the provider of our needs, that His power is unlimited and that in his service we have protection. The faithful follower will not be concerned about lunch tomorrow, they will work and let God bless the effort. The faithful follower will not worry about the outcome of everything, they understand that God is in control and that by His power all things continue. The faithful follower will not live in fear, they understand that God's protection is eternal. The faithful follower will carryout the mission that has been assigned to them, for His glory.
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