August 19 Alone

August 19

Alone

1 Kings 18:1-2(a) After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land." 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.

WE have witnessed Elijah's faith journey in the context of how God has protected Elijah from the evil King Ahab of Israel. Now after three years God instructs Elijah to return to Ahab, who has been searching three years to find Elijah to kill him. Elijah's mission is to demonstrate to Israel and to Ahab God's power over drought and over evil.

           Certainly Elijah will go with fear and uncertainty. Or would he? After all, he has seen God's gracious salvation protect his life and even resurrect the widow's son! Perhaps Elijah went into Israel with hope and even joy! He carried a message of salvation that rain would come again. Hearing the message, Ahab and Israel will welcome Elijah home.

           But we will see sin's powerful hold on people displace Elijah's hope. There is too little of God and too much evil in Israel. They will not easily accept God's gracious life offering. Even some of God's own will be fearful to be associated with Elijah. The prophet will be left alone with God.

           This is often the case, isn't it? Godly men and women find themselves alone in the world. Jesus came with God's glories message of life, but the world is too full of evil to easily accept him. By the time he approached the cross, Jesus was alone with God. All had deserted him.

           Heroes of faith often find themselves so alone and wonder, "Does anyone care what I say? God are you here with me as you said you would be?" But if we see our "alone place" from a faith view, we will see God's hand of life. We will realize that being with the Living God is the best place to be.     

           Above all earthly challenges, even loneliness, we must remember that God has called us to proclaim his gracious salivation message to the world. Nothing - nothing - is more important than eternal life. He knows evil will strike against you to turn you from the battle. He also knows his Word will win the battle.

           You will see that the farther Elijah goes with God, the more alone he will become. If your faith journey seems to be separating you from the world, from former friends and even family who reject you, remember the Lord God has called you. Pay attention to Elijah's battles in the days to come. Learn as Elijah did that the Lord is with you now and for all eternity. 

Prayer: Thank you, God, for always being with me. Grow my faith to desire more and more of you. Help me to know you are my eternal Father. In Jesus' name, amen.