READING: 1 Kings 19-20, John 7:25-44
Elijah thought he was the only one who cared. Despite his victory over the false prophets, still he feared when Jezebel came after him. He alone, he thought, was still following God. When God asked him why he was cowering in the cave, his response was, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life” (1 Kgs 19:10, 14). The rest had abandoned God, but not Elijah—at least that was the prophet’s conclusion.
On the other hand, his faith was one now marked by his fearing opponents, desiring to die, hiding in a cave, and feeling alone in his commitment to God. Fear had seemingly won the day, and discouragement set in. Feeling alone in your faith will often take you there.
That’s when we need God to remind us of something He also taught Elijah: we are not the only believers out there. It might feel that way, but God is still working around us. We may not know their stories or their names, but people are still responding to the Good News.
In Elijah’s day, God put it this way: “But I will leave seven thousand in Israel—every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Kgs 19:18). Elijah was not the only follower of God—despite what he thought—and nor are we. We’re not alone.
PRAYER: “Lord, remind me about my brothers and sisters You are calling to Yourself from around the world.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 21-22, John 7:45-8:20