A short interjection here, God is looking for Godly men and women to stand up against the rising tide of evil. The truth cannot and will never be buried by Satan or anyone else.
So, what did Elijah face? Many times we might think it was easy for Elijah, Paul, Peter, etc. to stand against evil and preach the truth. Whoever said that? Elijah was a man like you and me. Was he fearful or afraid sometimes? Yes! Elijah was the man God called to reign down fire on a sacrifice that had 12 barrels of water poured on it!
Kings 18:33-39 NLT)
He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.” After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord —he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”
The fire licked every drop out of the trenches! He put the prophets of Baal to shame! They had went on all day calling on Baal and cutting themselves. There were 450 of them to 1 of God's prophets! But did Baal show up? No! But God showed up with an all consuming fire. Elijah killed all of these prophets. Why? Because God is a jealous God. He wants your adoration and love. The same Elijah ran for his life to hide in a cave away from Jezebel for fear of losing his life.
1 Kings 19:2, 3 NLT
So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
Into the wilderness
1 Kings 19:9, 10 NLT
There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
God told him, " There are 7000 that have not bowed the knee to Baal. You are not alone!" Even in the midst of attack, defeat, oppression, and wickedness in the world, YOU are not alone! God has an army here with you. No matter the circumstances, God is in control and firmly has a plan in place, as with Elijah! Elijah trusted God and stepped out in faith.
He told a woman, who had lost all hope and was preparing a last meal for her and her son to eat, to make a meal for him 'first'. She never ran out of oil or flour because of her obedience. Her son, died a little later on, and he stretched out over him and brought back her son from back from death by crying out to God!
He prayed and it rained after three and a half years of drought.
Elijah always spoke the truth even in dire circumstances or seemingly everything against him.
Always trust God and speak the truth. With truth may come persecution, but you will never go wrong and will have a great big God to have your back!
Walk in Elijah's shoes!
Life is so sweet!
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