ELIJAH
Suggested Reading: 1 Kings 17-18
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Ruins of ancient Samaria-Sebaste, capital of Ahab and the northern 10 tribes of Israel. The prophets of Baal, Jezebel's religion, dominated here when Elijah showed up. The ruins populate the hillside and comprise remains from six successive cultures dating back thousands of years: Canaanite, Israelite, Hellenistic, Herodian, Roman and Byzantine. This photo was taken in the modern Palestinian authority territory.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Kings 18:22
Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.”
Who would have guessed that the odds favoured the one against so many formidable opponents? Yet that is precisely what happened. This dramatic confrontation has frequently drawn the comment, “One person with God is always a majority.” However, as Elijah learned, there were actually 100 other prophets of the Lord hiding (in two caves of 50 each), waiting for the day when they could boldly take a public stand once again. We should never give in to a “poor me pity party.” God ensures that we are never alone.
The Apostle Paul, in words to Timothy, felt very alone (Read 2 Timothy 4:9-16). But then he rallied and declared, “The lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen”!!! Take time to worship God along with our prayers! He promised never to leave us alone. He’s over us, under us, around us and in us. Rejoice!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Your eternal Word, which will never pass away, declares, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4b). Please grant me a constant awareness of Your presence. May I be as Paul urged me, “Be being filled with Your Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). In the Name of the One who was filled at all times with the fullness of God, my Friend who sticks closer than a brother, the Lord Jesus. AMEN!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m very aware that there are more ungodly leaders featured here in Kings than godly ones. Therefore, I’m taking comfort in the fact that, while there are bad leaders in our world today, there are also some good ones. Over the last two days I’ve mentioned President Reagan of the USA and Canada’s second leader, Prime Minister MacKenzie. I’ve also mentioned a very godly leader of Great Britain, Prime Minister Gladstone, who sponsored missions all over the U.K. where people were led to Christ. He was the one who negotiated with our Canadian leaders for separation without violence. The 13 British colonies to the south fought a bloody war for separation. It would seem that in the case of the United States, while there were some godly leaders on the American side, they did not have godly people to deal with in England. The colonies to the north waited about 90 years, but Canada was born without bloodshed. One of the people on the Canadian side was a man whom God used by the name of John A. MacDonald, our first Prime Minister. I sat for at least an hour beside his grave in Kingston, Ontario, meditating on all I had read about him over the years. Yes, he had an alcohol problem. Yes, he was a flawed human being like all of us, but he dreamed big dreams. I sat in his seat in the Presbyterian Church in Kingston. I was the guest of the minister, Rev. Max Putnam, who was serving as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. I had studied history but learned for the first time from Max that John A. had undergone an experience of genuine conversion to Christ, and for the last years of his life he shunned alcohol. Sometime later, in Grimsby, Ontario, I was shown a poster advertising a Methodist camp meeting at which our first prime minister was guest preacher. Finally, the press got it right in an article in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper headlined, “THE DAY SIR JOHN A. MET JESUS!” I’ll try to attach the article within the next couple of days, if I can locate it.
Yours to help encourage people in whom we can believe to run for leadership positions in all areas of human concern,
David
Sir John A. Macdonald, 1815-1891. First Prime Minister of Canada, 1867-1873. He served a second term as PM from 1878-1891.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake Deut 31: 6-8 NIV.
I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live; but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God. Gal 2:20 NIV
Thanks David, for bringing our attention to our country’s leaders. It has led me to read about Canada’s former prime ministers. A wealth of information. What you shared about Sir John A. MacDonald this morning is enlightening and reminds me of the opportunity that lies in Kingston.
Blessings, fellow saints, for a splendid day!
Thanks Beverlee Kay for the scriptures!!!
Our Christian leaders need not be a majority, as their humble governance, in Christ, will guide them in the way of truth and wisdom. Their virtues reign in the hearts of a nation, and have proven to pass the test of time. Just as the hymn proclaims … “Jesus … Jesus… Jesus … there’s just something about that name! Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that name!” We proclaim His glory!
Amen! David!!!
I too have been amazed by the stories of our first two Prime Ministers. These stories are little known facts brought to light right here on 100words, thank-you David for sharing your knowledge of history with us. Perhaps one day I will visit the grave of Sir John A. MacDonald in Kingston and that of Alexander Mackenzie in Sarnia and will remember these stories of Godly heritage within our own land. Of course the focus of these leaders of yesteryear, is our focus today, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Jesus Christ, who is worthy to be praised forevermore. Amen!
And Amen,Scott
Well said everyone! Really appreciate and find that Canadian and American history so interesting and encouraging. Just a little side note: I can go outside and look over to Mars Hill Mountain, U.S. I too am inspired to read about our Canadian Prime Ministers. Great blog as always. There is trouble all around, but the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Blessings, everyone.
Thanks for the Scripture,Ger!!!
David my prayer is the same as yours thank you for telling us about the history of of our prime ministers I never new before.
God bless you David, your family and I will keep you in my prayers
Lianne Hogg
Good Morning David, What an amazing account of Elijah’s experiences during a time of terrible famine, and the witch hunt for the Lord’s prophets l found myself living the story with him. lt’s marvelous how God builds our faith in adversity! Elijah is fed miraculously by ravens, then sees the Lord bring provision through the widows morsels of food, then he cries out to God for the raising from the dead of the widows son and sees it happen,and many other things designed to build his faith,for the work at hand, to bring Israel back to believing in their true God,resulting in the holy boldness that came upon Elijah on Mount Carmel, and the evidence and signs and wonder they all saw! God is faithful, and he does not change. There is nothing impossible with God, he is the same yesterday, today and forever! When we put our trust in him, fear goes in the presence of love!
Amen,Christine and thanks !!!!
Yes and greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world1 john 4 :4
How comforting is that”” in this topsy, turvy ,world we live in. We have Christ
to hang on to,P.T.L…Have blessed day David M. and all you wonderful bloggers
…..R…
Amen!!!
I was feeling very discouraged this morning, but today’s blog and comments have reminded me to refocus not on the problem, but on Jesus. Thank you. The problem isn’t all that big, in fact it is very small- ants. My kitchen has been invaded by them, and the more I kill the more seem to show up. I know there is a root source somewhere- and the fact it could a sign of something worse- discouraged me. It never ends when you own a home, there is always something that has to be done or cost more money– so I suppose the pity party was creeping in, literally and figuratively, LOL. So again, thanks for reminding me not to look at what is wrong, but look for the One who is Righteous. Amen
Thanks Donna for sharing. I too get discouraged when problems take my eyes off Jesus Christ.
Put some ant traps in your kitchen for now, Donna. At least that will slow them down. Praying to God for the invasion to end! I know it isn’t funny, but your post made me smile! 🙂 My favourite saying and scripture comes to mind–ask and so shall you receive!
And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. Mt 21:22 AKJV
Thanks David and fellow bloggers I so enjoy reading your comments!!! Psalm 121:1 and 2 says I will lift mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. God bless!!!!
God bless you, Colleen! You are a ray of sunshine! 🙂
Dear David and precious fellow bloggers
How blessed we are to have a country like Canada where are ancestors and leaders understood the necessity of letting Jesus guide them and direct them in fulfilling thier duties . We have to pray diligentley today for our present leaders to also turn to Jesus in their many challenges in carrrying the precious values that our ancestors carried through .
Thank you everyone for your wonderful words and exerts of Bible
PS:
Dear Donna
Dont be discoureged you are not alone with those tiny creepers .I also for the past three years had a nice spring visit from them . My solution is called littlle round metal cans called ANT OUT made by WILSON company in any of the stores for home renovation .
Have a blessed day. Keeping you all in my prayers
xxxx. C
We tend to look on the bad side of things and think things (esp. political) are hopeless. Thanks for the reminder that God can change any heart and that PRAYER changes things and people….and for shedding light on things we haven’t heard re. those politicians. Very encouraging. Good reminder to pray in faith, believing, for all those in authority over us.
Thanks Carole and Beverlee for the suggestion– have put down some ant traps and hopefully it will help. And thanks Colleen for letting me I am not alone. It is true the when we take our eyes off our Lord, problems big or small have a way of overshadowing our faith.
I was having one of those weeks when life seems like an unending series of problems to be solve. I think those ants just represented all those frustrations I wanted to go away, but won’t. In fact as I am writing this I found crawling on my arm. But God is so good because when I was getting down, He lead to read this blog today, and I did find comfort not only in the readings but also in all your wonderful comments. Plus got practical advice to boot.
Bless you and your fellow bloggers for your faithfulness- I’m sure God is doing a lot of good with all the seeds your are planting in your comments– you never know who might be reading them and how God is using them to help someone you will most likely not meet until heaven.
Thanks for the history lesson David. I never thought about how our country left Britain as you mentioned. Very interesting. Is there a book you would recommend about Sir John A? I’d love to read more.