God’s ways are higher…
We are often reminded of how God’s ways are higher than our own (Is 55:8-9). As humans, we have our own reasoning which we think may be correct, but as Christians we should follow what (Pr 3:5-6) tells us to do – trust in the Lord, lean not on our own understanding and acknowledge Him in all things.
In 1 Kings 19 we see how Elijah and Elisha, two people in different life circumstances, were able to do this and submit to God’s will for them.
In times of adversity (V1-10)
Despite facing the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and enduring a drought, Elijah was met with a threat on his life and had to flee (1Ki 19:2-3). Human logic would posit that the Lord should have rewarded Elijah for enduring for His sake, and that the circumstances he found himself in were unfair. Elijah too may have thought this, as he cried out to the Lord in verse 4, praying that he might die to be free from his affliction.
However, we know from the Bible that God often uses trials to teach us. Through testing, we not only become refined in our faith (Job 23:10), but can also experience God’s love as He loves those whom He chastens and corrects (Pr 3:12, Heb 12:6). We see later in the passage, through this attempt on his life, God wanted Elijah to adjust his expectations and learn what it truly meant to serve Him with zeal without giving up.
We should also remember that Elijah did not face this trial alone – an angel was sent to comfort him and brought him bread and water (1Ki 19:6-7). The strength he received was able to sustain him 40 days and nights (1Ki 19:8). Likewise today, whenever we are faced with affliction, the Lord nourishes us through His word and replenishes us through His Holy Spirit. But as 40 days is not a lifelong period, we should strive to continually be renewed so we can remain unwavering in our faith and our zeal to serve God until the end.
In how we should seek Him (V11-18)
In strengthening Elijah, God appeared not in the great wind, nor in the earthquake or fire – He revealed Himself in the form of a still small voice (1Ki 19:11-12). As humans, you would think that if God is omnipotent He should manifest Himself in a grand way to boldly assure us of His presence. But from God speaking to Elijah in the still small voice, we can learn two things.
Firstly, that God is always there, always working in the background. Just as a whispering voice can get drowned out by the commotion of life, every day the Lord does so many things for us, so much that we often take it for granted. However, listening out for the still small voice reminds us to acknowledge our Creator in all things and offer Him a constant stream of thanks for His providence.
Secondly, we should also remember that God doesn’t force us to do His will, but rather He tells us of it in the Bible so we can put it into practice in our lives ourselves. This is another ‘still small voice’ in our lives we should listen to and heed, just as Elijah was able to do in verses 15-17 upon receiving instruction from the Lord. We know that the word of God is living and powerful (Heb 4:12) – do we let it pierce our hearts and convict us to live for Him?
In how we should follow Him (V19-21)
In the world’s eyes, Elisha seemed to be living a comfortable life with his family. However, upon His calling, he dropped everything to run after Elijah, then settled his matters at home so he could become his servant. (1Ki 19:19-21).
It seems counterintuitive – Elisha was trading a stable life for one of uncertainty – but it is evident that He understood God’s calling, and thus took up the mantle passed down to him not with excuses but with full devotion. He knew that serving God would require his whole life so he made sure nothing was holding him back from being able to serve.
Likewise today, we have been called by God. Despite it being difficult to make sacrifices, we must empty ourselves and give up that which we love in the world, for only then have we denied ourselves such that we can follow Jesus with our whole selves (Lk 9:23). Once we have taken up the mantle, like Elisha, we must not look back on our previous life and turn back to loving the world. Instead, we should look unto Jesus, who can help us endure our own cross and give us the victory in our life of faith (Heb 12:2).
Reflection questions
Think of a time when God allowed you to experience affliction – how did He help you? What did you learn?
Are you comforted in knowing that God is working in all things – to provide for you and to teach you His ways? Does this spur you on to do more for Him?
What other things may you need to let go of to devote more of your life to Christ?
