Elijah: Patience and Faith

1 Kings 17:1-7
"So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan."

Elijah makes a statement to King Ahab, then God calls him into the wilderness for "awhile" where Elijah waits. We have no record of what he did except that God provided two meals a day in a supernatural way. We don't know how long he waited there, but it must have been a good amount of time since streams don't dry up overnight.


This is the first introduction we have to Elijah, one of the greatest prophets ever. It is interesting to note the beginning of his service to God. He obediently puts his life on the line to deliver God's words to Ahab, then goes into hiding where he must depend utterly and completely on God. He learns patience and his faith is grown as daily God provides his every need.


Elijah would need this time of testing later in his life. He knew what God had done for him, he was well aware of what God was capable of doing.


Perhaps I am in a similar time where nothing seems to be happening. Could it be, if I would just be still and know, that God is waiting to provide, teach me patience, and increase my faith? 

Ahab: The Blot

1 Kings 16:33
"And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him."

Ahab's legacy is a blot on Israel's history. What his predecessors did was evil, and yet Ahab excelled beyond all that was done before him and brought evil to new depths.

As Christians in America today, we are seeing evil being brought to new depths. It is discouraging and sad. Yet we can take comfort from this story, knowing there is nothing new under the sun. What was done shall be done again. What is once was. And God remains on His throne.

Ahab's reign came to an end, in God's timing

Sin's Vanity

1 Kings 16:13
"For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities."


Vanity. Is that not the essence of sin? Nothingness, vapor, smoke in the wind. A waste of time, a waste of life itself.


Sin offers so much - satisfaction, contentment, pleasure. But it delivers none of what it promises. The pleasure may endure for a season but then it is gone in a moment leaving us with nothing but the ruin, destruction and death that will always come from sin.


God desires so much more for us. A life full of purpose and meaning, a contentment and satisfaction that nothing else can offer. He created us, He created life, don't you think He would know best how it should be spent?


What vanity is tempting me today? How can I purposely choose God?

His Might

1 Kings 16:5
"Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"

Strength is a quality that can be just as good as it can be bad. Baasha was a man of might and yet his history is one of rebellion and shame. He misused his strength.

A person who is relying on God will renew his strength and will be able to accomplish God's will. A person relying on his own strength will have no hope or desire to accomplish God's will. This will result in them settling for their own will, which always has painful consequences.

In what areas has God given me strength? In what areas do I need more strength? Am I using my strength to accomplish God's will or my own?

Just As He Said

1 Kings 15:29
"And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:"

God 's word is true. It is worthy of our trust and faith. His word will not return void but will accomplish His purpose.

These are facts we may know, but have a hard time truly accepting. How many times have we prayed and prayed regarding an issue, feeling as of God is ignoring us, then weeks, months, maybe even years later find that He has answered us in a way we couldn't have imagined?

God's judgment on Jeroboam was not swift in our human perception, but it was sure. There was never a moment when it was not going to happen just as God has said.

What have I been seeking from God that has not happened yet? Prayer must be patient, persistent and tenacious.

Ways

1 Kings 15:34
"And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin."

"The ways of Jeroboam" were evil in God's sight. How utterly tragic. God laid out a choice for Jeroboam, God wanted to use him for good. But Jeroboam rejected that and chose the wrong path.

Then even after his death, Jeroboam's memory is tarnished and synonymous with evil. The writer did not need to spell out what exactly Baasha did, all that needed said was "he walked in the ways of Jeroboam".

The way we walk through and live our lives is of the utmost importance. Not only for us, but for those who will follow.

What are my "ways"? Would I rejoice seeing my children walk in my ways?

A Lamp In Jerusalem

1 Kings 15:4-5
      "Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem: Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite."

 

     Only a truly humble person will realize the real expanse of God's mercy and grace, because only a truly humble person will see themselves for who they truly are in light of Who God truly is.
A humble person is honest enough to see the sin in their own life and how powerless they are you remedy it. They are honest enough to realize and acknowledge God and His unfathomable righteousness.

     In the history of Israel we see countless instances of grace and mercy being poured out on a rebellious, undeserving nation. Judgment does come on the unrepentant, but none can say God did not give them a chance.

      What are some instances of God's mercy in my life I can thank Him for today?