GOD, above all gods – 1 Kings 19:1-18

There are 3 truths of God present in the scripture:

God is present when there’s opposition.
God and therefore we, have people who oppose us, what we stand for and who we believe in.
Jezebel wanted Elijah out of there so she can pursue her cunning plan, her agenda, without his interference. Jezebel was controlling, and manipulative, wanted her way, at all costs.

How did Elijah initially handle this opposition? He was “afraid and ran for his life”. That was his default! Jezebel won’t have realised it at the time but her battle was futile. Elijah’s was not, and neither is the battle we face, daily, because God is present, irrespective of whatever it is we’re facing: that’s a fact. But what’s our default? Opposition is an opportunity to press into God (see Ephesians 6:10f; and Colossians 2:15), not run from him!

God’s power is shown through human weakness.
Elijah was discouraged, his faith had taken a hit and things looked bleak. Even after the victory on Mount Carmel, it appeared that Baalism might win in Israel. But had God rejected his people? No! Elijah could not see the whole picture. Elijah’s expectations were the source of his confidence rather than God being the source of his confidence. God had prepared 7000 others. God had the situation in hand!

Elijah, this mighty prophet, reacted and had a blindspot. But God in his graciousness worked with that because he loves to work from a place of what we might deem disadvantage. Think of Gideon with his 300 men; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; and Jesus. Death could not hold him down!

When we find ourselves in a similar state as Elijah, God remains gracious and works in and through our weakness. There is no end to God’s love and care, nor to the capacity of Gods power.

God keeps hearts
Elijah travelled 40 days and nights to Mt Horeb where the Lord meets with him and speaks by a gentle whisper, to remind him of his calling, to re-direct and restore Elijah, and to help him grasp the reality of his choice to abandon his post.
Notice the Lord speaks twice to Elijah, asking the question, “what are you doing here?” Why? Because his response showed he had not grasped the issues. Filled with self-justification Elijah says. “I’ve been very zealous for you Lord, they’ve killed off everyone else and I’m the only one left”.

God didn’t need to ask Elijah what he was doing at the mountain, God knew why. And God says, no Elijah you’re not the only one left, I’ve worked on their hearts, there are 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal, I have kept them. Because God is in control. Because our confidence must be in God!

The story reminds us that following Jesus is not dabbling with faith, it is not running from our responsibilities like Elijah, even when it’s tough. It is total sacrifice to God, for God and his purposes. What are we doing, here?

What was Elijah to learn from his encounter on the mountain and what’s the lesson for us? Not just be hearers, but doers. God’s graciousness restores us as we submit to him.