1 Kings 19:9-18 (NRSV)
Read 1 Kings 19:9-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Verse 10He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Verse 11He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; Verse 12and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. Verse 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Verse 14He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Verse 15Then the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Verse 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Verse 17Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Verse 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
Devotion
Elijah certainly is one of the more intriguing individuals in the Bible. He comes out of nowhere, with no information about his background, no family names, no permanent connections with others, and when all was said and done, leaves the earth in a chariot of fire. Most importantly, throughout his ministry, he listened to the word of the Lord which came at important and critical times. (1 Kings 17:8; 18:1; 19:9; 21:17) Elijah’s experience teaches us that God meets us where we are.
Still today, with the blessings of the inspired word, the Lord intervenes at important times in our lives. The good news of the gospel strengthens and sustains us each and every step of the way. We know the wonder of what God’s word can do for us. We rejoice in the good news of the gospel and in the joy that motivates us to share it with others.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are grateful for your involvement in our daily lives through your words of encouragement and the insights you bring to us. We humbly seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to continue to lead and guide us. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.