Category Archives: 1 Kings

Ancient man in robes sitting in a cave listening to glowing magical waves
1 Kings, Bible, God's Will, Purpose, Romans, Scripture, Voice, Willingness

GETTING SET STRAIGHT

ROMANS 11:4

“But what is the divine response to him? ‘I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.’”

There is nothing quite as humbling than to be set straight by someone for something you have done or said in error. I can’t say that has ever happened to me (lol), but it could. Seriously, I have had that humbling experience before. I did not enjoy it while it was happening, but afterwards I learned to appreciate it. I have erroneously judged someone in the past, only to learn that I was wrong. I have shared something that I later found out was false information. Humility is good for us from time to time. I am definitely a better person because of those experiences.

Elijah got taken to the woodshed, or so it seems. In yesterday’s verse we saw where he was bemoaning the fact that he was all alone as a servant to God. He’s hiding in that cave, and God comes looking for him. Of course, God knew where he was the whole time, didn’t he? He could have stopped him, but He let him stew for a bit. He even listened to Elijah’s bellyaching. Then God speaks.

APPLICATION

Paul continues the story from 1 Kings 19. He doesn’t tell the whole story of God speaking through the “gentle blowing.” Let’s just say when Elijah heard that, he knew it was the Lord speaking. Let’s give Elijah credit. When God confronted him and pointed out his wrongful thinking, he responded to God’s direction and did what the Lord said. He immediately found Elisha as God said he would. God put someone is his life to mentor and prepare to succeed him. What a renewed purpose!

The Greek word used by Paul which is translated “divine response” is chrématismos. It is only used here in the New Testament. The Topical Lexicon says chrématismos “designates a decisive utterance from God—a communicated response that settles a question, corrects misperception, or charts a course for His people. It is not ordinary counsel but a word issued with divine authority that obligates the hearer to trust and obey.”

Have you received one of those? I have. I know God led me to the ministry I am now a part of, Every Man A Warrior. He has given me a desire to disciple men and lead them to become disciple makers for their families, their churches and their communities. Nothing gives me as much joy as seeing a man “get it.” I wonder how Elijah felt after his “divine response” from God. Being a prophet of the Lord, I am sure he felt a resurgence in his spirit. Don’t you want that same kind of resurgence in your spirit? Listen closely. He’s speaking! Don’t look for the great wind or earthquake or fire. Listen for the small gentle wind of God speaking truth to you.

I am listening, O Lord. Speak!

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Woman with party hat at table under 'Pity Party' sign with sad face cupcakes and balloons
1 Kings, Alone, Bible, Faithfulness, Fear, Promises, Romans, Scripture, Victory

WOE IS ME!

ROMANS 11:3

“Lord, ‘THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.’”

Have you ever felt that it was you against the world? Maybe you have had a run of bad luck, or a friend has turned against you. It is so easy to start a pity party. The problem with those parties is that you are usually the only one that shows up. We all know who wants to keep us feeling that way, don’t we? The devil may not be able to rob you of your salvation, but he is happy just taking you out of the fight. Don’t let that happen.

Paul recounts the story of Elijah in today’s verse. Do you remember the context of this story? Go back and read 1 Kings 18. Elijah had just had a tremendous victory over the prophets of Baal. He should have been on cloud nine, but instead, he flees from Jezebel who sought his life. He complains to God that only he was left alone to serve him. Boy, was he mistaken! We’ll see God’s answer to him in tomorrow’s verse. But let this verse sink in today. Are you feeling like Elijah, all alone and vulnerable?

APPLICATION

The passage Paul quotes is taken from 1 Kings 19:10. Let’s back up to verse 9 to get the full picture. “9 Then he came there to a cave and spent the night there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ 10 And he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they have sought to take my life.’” Man, Elijah was in a bad way. He was hiding in a cave from Jezebel right after God had given him a tremendous demonstration of His power and might over the false god Baal.

You may not be hiding in a cave, but you may be hiding in your bedroom. You may be in a pit of depression. Is that where the Lord wants you? Of course not! To use Paul’s expression which we saw earlier, “May it never be!” Don’t allow Satan to rob you of your joy. Don’t let him pull you down. As followers of Christ, we walk in victory. Jesus defeated death and the grave and has given us authority over the devil. Claim that and walk in it.

I have had my own moments of doubt when I went through a dark time. People abandoned me. People betrayed me. Others may not have sought my life, but they sure wanted to tear me down. Some even spoke lies against me. But God was and still is faithful. We will see tomorrow how God woke Elijah up and gave him a renewed purpose. Let Him do the same for you. Stand up, shake it off and reclaim your victorious walk with Him. You are not alone!

Thank You, Father, for never abandoning me. You are always right there.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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