Day 169

1 Kings 19:1-21; Acts 12:1-23; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 17:14-15

AFTER THE MONUMENTAL confrontation between the priests of Baal and Elijah on Mount Carmel, rains returned to a drought-stricken land. People’s hearts were stirred to return to the one true God —but not everyone repented. King Ahab was married to a Phoenician princess named Jezebel who was enraged that Baal’s priests had been humiliated and exterminated. She sent a little message to Elijah in today’s reading from 1 Kings: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them” (1 Kings 19:2).

The message had the intended effect. Elijah was spooked and ran for his life. He didn’t just run a little way. First, he fled about 115 miles on foot to Beersheba. Then he journeyed another 250 miles into the desert. And let’s remember —we’re talking about a time before automobiles.

“What are you doing here?” God asked Elijah (1 Kings 19:9).

Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too” (1 Kings 19:10).

God invited Elijah to stand before Him. A mighty windstorm ravaged the mountain —but God was not in it. Then the earth shook —but God was not in it. Then there was fire —but God was not in it. And then there was a gentle whisper. Elijah went out to meet with God.

“Go back the same way you came,” God told Elijah (1 Kings 19:15). A king needed to be anointed.

There is no shortage of irony in the story we read today. Elijah had just presided over a great confrontation that included fire from heaven on Mount Carmel. He had also prayed for rain and received it. Why would a nasty note from Jezebel put him on the run?

The irony deepens when we realize we are no different. How many times have we seen God move mightily in our lives, only to find ourselves enraged or intimidated by a nasty note or social-media post? And how often do we find ourselves on the run because of it? “What are you doing here?” God asks. Elijah’s reason was that he felt alone. Isn’t it the same for us? Perhaps this story is a brilliant reading of our own journey. And perhaps it’s time to go back the way we came —there is still work to be done.

MEDITATION:

Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.