August 28 Faithful Voice

1 Kings 18:22-24 Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the Lord's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. 23 Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. 24 Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire — he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good."

WHY is Elijah "the only one of the Lord's prophets left."? Where are the 100 prophets Obadiah protected against Jezebel's murderous schemes? It appears Elijah is the only prophet of God to come to the confrontation. Perhaps the other prophets were too afraid to come. Or perhaps Elijah was protecting them. Elijah is the one man representing the Kingdom of God before the kingdom of this world. One faithful man of God standing where God has placed him is enough.

           See how Elijah is in control of the event. He instructs the Baal prophets. He gives the details of the test and establishes the "passing grade" of the test. The true God will demonstrate his power through fire on the altar.

           Elijah is being a leader for God's cause. He doesn't come to this with an attitude, "What would you like to do?" He knows what needs to be done. He is confident and faithful. Elijah is a witness to the Spirit's power to strengthen us and give us words to stand for him when we need them.

           Jesus promised this would be true when they confronted the kingdom of the world: Matthew 10:17 "Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."  

           Elijah's ministry is a picture of true discipleship. Hear the Lord's words. Trust the Lord's words. Obey the Lord's words. Speak the Lord's words. See the Lord's Word come in power. Witness the Lord's Word turn man from the kingdom of this world and into the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: Grant us faith, Spirit, that we will easily speak your truth to live Paul's words in Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.