March 29, 2024 - 1 Kings 17-19

These are the Elijah stories from which several very specific lessons can be gleaned.  I once noted, “It’s neither here nor there, but I had never noticed how abruptly Elijah shows up.  Just out of the blue:  “Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab . . .” (17:1).  Elijah spoke truth to Ahab, and consequently found himself in hiding.  It can be dangerous to stand up for the Lord.

When Elijah was hungry, the widow of Zarephath gave him the little bit of food she and her son had.  In response to her generosity, the Lord kept flour in her jar and oil in her jug.  They never ran out; they were just there!  Generosity and unselfishness are good things.  Elijah also healed her son.

The prophets of Baal destroyed on Mt. Carmel.  Baal was no god!  There is no other god than the God of Israel!

Elijah fled from before Jezebel. Sometimes even the strongest and most faithful of men lose faith and become frightened.

God said to Elijah, before he anointed Elisha, “Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (19:18).  God will always have his people, and he will keep them.  More lessons, tomorrow . . .  But, thinking about Elijah, his fears, the danger and all, how sweet are the words of Cleland McAfee:

There is a place of quiet rest,

near to the heart of God,

a place where sin cannot molest,

near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,

sent from the heart of God,

hold us, who wait before thee,

near to the heart of God.   -- Cleland Boyd McAfee (1903)