Today's quick lesson begins in 1 Kings 19.
Elijah, a righteous prophet of God, had just humiliated the priestsof the fake god Baal. Much of Israel was worshipping Baal as their pussy whipped King Ahab deferred to his wife Jezebel whose people bowed down to Baal and other such fake deities. Read Chapter 18 for the fun details. After killing all the prophets of Israel, Jezebel promptly vowed to have Elijah killed. Elijah fled out of fear. And ran. Far.
It was at this point that the normally faithfully bold Elijah reached his limit...
...he prayed that he moght die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." (19:4)
An angel then touched him, provided food, and commanded him to arise and eat. Elijah ate, drank, and lay back down again.
An angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him, telling him toarise and eat because he had a long journey to make. Elijah obeyed, ate and drank more, and walked all the way to Mount Sinai. While in a cave, Elijah finally heard what he had been seeking...the voice of God. God asked him,"What are you doing here,Elijah?"
So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." (19:10)
God then gave Elijah instructions that led to him training his successor Elisha and retribution on Jezebel and all who took part in killing the godly prophets. Elijah was rescued from despair that had him praying for death!
The lesson for us??? It's twofold.
1. If you want to hear from God, BE ZEALOUS FOR GOD.
2. If you want God's grace and mercy, FERVENTLY PRAY TO HIM.
"But I'm not a speical prophet of God like Elijah, you say? Here's the punchline:
Elijah was a man like us! (James 5:17)
We are NO different than Elijah according to James, the brother of Jesus. And how did James end the previous verse before letting us know we were just like Elijah?
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)
If you are in a bad place, a well-meaning friend might say, "You got this." No. God's got you! Be zealous for Him in worship and prayer. You WILL hear from Him.
Elijah, a righteous prophet of God, had just humiliated the priestsof the fake god Baal. Much of Israel was worshipping Baal as their pussy whipped King Ahab deferred to his wife Jezebel whose people bowed down to Baal and other such fake deities. Read Chapter 18 for the fun details. After killing all the prophets of Israel, Jezebel promptly vowed to have Elijah killed. Elijah fled out of fear. And ran. Far.
It was at this point that the normally faithfully bold Elijah reached his limit...
...he prayed that he moght die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." (19:4)
An angel then touched him, provided food, and commanded him to arise and eat. Elijah ate, drank, and lay back down again.
An angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him, telling him toarise and eat because he had a long journey to make. Elijah obeyed, ate and drank more, and walked all the way to Mount Sinai. While in a cave, Elijah finally heard what he had been seeking...the voice of God. God asked him,"What are you doing here,Elijah?"
So he said, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." (19:10)
God then gave Elijah instructions that led to him training his successor Elisha and retribution on Jezebel and all who took part in killing the godly prophets. Elijah was rescued from despair that had him praying for death!
The lesson for us??? It's twofold.
1. If you want to hear from God, BE ZEALOUS FOR GOD.
2. If you want God's grace and mercy, FERVENTLY PRAY TO HIM.
"But I'm not a speical prophet of God like Elijah, you say? Here's the punchline:
Elijah was a man like us! (James 5:17)
We are NO different than Elijah according to James, the brother of Jesus. And how did James end the previous verse before letting us know we were just like Elijah?
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)
If you are in a bad place, a well-meaning friend might say, "You got this." No. God's got you! Be zealous for Him in worship and prayer. You WILL hear from Him.
