Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 16:29-33, 1 Kings 17:1-7, 1 Kings 18:1-46
One of my less-flattering character traits is a tendency to change my mind. As someone who is more emotional and intuitively wired, I usually make decisions based on gut instinct. The challenge is that my feelings about something can change within hours as new information comes in. Despite this tendency, I want to be a person who isn’t wishy-washy but lives from a place of deep inner commitment. After all, this reflects God’s steadfast love for us.
In the story of Elijah, we feel the prophet’s exasperation when he called Israel out on their lack of commitment. “How long will you waver between two opinions?”, he challenged the Israelites on Mount Carmel. “‘If the LORD is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him.’ But the people didn’t answer him a word” (1Kings 18:21). On his own, Elijah’s reprimand seems like no match for a deceived nation and 850 false prophets (v.19). But his loyalty to Yahweh was. It took Elijah’s obedience to his calling and an irrefutable sign of God’s power to reawaken the Israelites.
I’m sure Elijah was trembling in his boots. But his unwavering commitment is admirable. Author Frederick Buechner calls this “whistling in the dark.” It’s the choice to live from a place of faith and trust even when your circumstances give you every reason to doubt the safety of your own life. Despite the widespread betrayal, Elijah spoke from an inner confidence which we see in verse 15 when he said, “As the LORD of Armies lives, in whose presence I stand, today I will present myself to Ahab.”
In whose presence I stand.
I can only hope to live in such a way during hard times, remaining rooted in Jesus. It’s not easy. But we have a whole spiritual family of men and women who shook in their boots yet followed the Lord—or returned to Him after walking away. When circumstances seem to indicate the absence of divine involvement (think deferred hopes, tragedy, or any prolonged time of confusion), our trust has a way of eroding. Thank God for His faithfulness and for elevating voices like Elijah’s who remind us of the way back home.
Changing our minds about where to eat for dinner isn’t quite the same as switching loyalties from Yahweh to Baal. Nevertheless, may we be single-hearted, single-minded, and fiercely committed to the God who holds all things together and will never leave us. The next time we feel afraid or confused, let’s remember that we stand in the presence of the Lord of Armies. I pray that as we journey with God, our lived experience with His love assures us down to our bones that He is trustworthy and worth following, come what may.
Written by Bailey Gillespie
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93 thoughts on "Elijah"
Amen❤️
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I want to remember that God doesn’t just show up in the big moments. He’s present in the quiet, too. And even when I feel like I’ve failed or can’t go on, God still has purpose for me.
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Just got word…baby is being discharged today.
Whoop!
That’s fantastic news – praise the Lord!
Yes, Praise the Lord!
Praise God. Hope this was a trust building for the mama and becomes a testimony to our good God!!
Great news!
Thank You, God!!!! Thanks for sharing, Kelly! Whoop whoop indeed! ❤❤❤
Praise God Kelly!
What stood out to me today was to go back and patiently seek signs of God’s blessing (rain) seven times, even if it’s the slightest sign. I tend to give up too soon, or so it seems. Perhaps in the first four times, I would have returned empty handed, I would have thought, it is not there, the Lord did not come through, perhaps another way (?). Lord forgive me the many times that I didn’t dig deep enough, wasn’t patient enough to deem you faithful to Your Word, and forfeited the blessings prematurely. The rain is coming. Keep believing. Go up and watch seven times. Don’t let the disappointment of the first six times keep you away from the harvest. There will be an outpour. Lifting your requests and joining our dear sisters in prayers. Thankful for this praying community. Be blessed dear sisters.
My Mercy!
“Go up and watch seven times.
Don’t let the disappointment
of the first six times
keep you away.”
Yes, Amen, what a word!! Thank you.
Thanks so much for this share, MERCY! ❤❤❤
God please intercede and hear these prayers. Thank you that you are a God that is with us always and stands by our side. May we not allow fear dictate our circumstances but our faith in you.
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SEARCHING mentioned Psalm 119. That was the focus of our Sunday School lesson yesterday. I made a commitment to memorize a portion of that Psalm. I was thinking about that while getting ready for SS yesterday and this thought popped into my head: Each Scripture I memorize is like a stone in my foundation of faith.
Every time I memorize a Scripture, it is like adding a
stone beneath my feet. The more Scriptures I have in my heart, the stronger (more stones) my foundation on which I stand. That gave me courage and impetus to try harder with memory work. I have a couple of adult coloring books with lots of verses to start with. Psalm 119 is one of my very favorites! ❤
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Standing On the Promises obviously comes to mind. ☺☺
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Elijah – what a servant of God! Someone mentioned the altar in another comment. Notes from Warren Wiersbe Study Bible:
“Who originally built the altar that Elijah used? Probably a member of the believing remnant in Israel who privately worshiped the Lord. But the altar had been destroyed, most likely by the prophets of Baal (19:10), so Elijah rebuilt it and sanctified it. By using twelve stones, he reaffirmed the spiritual unity of God’s people in spite of their political division.”
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Who do we serve?
John MacArthur notes:
“‘falter between two opinions’.
Lit. ‘limp along on or between two twigs.’ Israel had not totally rejected the Lord, but was seeking to combine worship of Him with the worship of Baal. The issue posed by Elijah was that Israel had to choose who was God, the Lord or Baal, and then serve God wholeheartedly. Rather than decide by his message, Elijah sought a visible sign from heaven.” So many today walk the highwire of faith’ wavering between 2 choices.
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Lots to ponder today as usual! Love hugs, and prayers! ❤
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MICHELLE P – any update?
“Each Scripture I memorize is like a stone in my foundation of faith” — so good ❤️! I am also wondering and thinking about Michelle too. Hope your work situation is improving.
Yes, I started 2 years ago trying to dedicate time to memorizing! It’s a challenge..and to keep being able to retain is hard as well, but it really is spiritually charging! A foundation that is a must! It’s like you don’t realize what you are missing until you have it!!
Like you, I struggle with it. I remember we both started that about the same time. ❤
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Hi, Cee Gee! I was reading your note/ post and saw that you wrote “Standing on the Promises obviously comes to mind.” I went back to my Bible and there it was!!I wrote the exact same thing in my Bible just above chapter 27 verse 8. I wish I could have jotted down the date I wrote it, but I know it was a while back. So blessed to hold in our hands God’s eternal Word. The one that we can stand on no matter where life takes us. We have a sure Foundation in Jesus.
Same, I saw a note yesterday in my Bible in a spot that are service was on, and I had a note there. I wish I had a date when I put it, because boy has God come through big time! It said something like “God USE me!
❤ how cool!!! LITTLE SPARROW and RHONDA! That happens to me, too, and I wonder when I made note. Thanks for sharing that!
HIS SPARROW ☺ Don’t know where ‘little’ came from!
May I always remember that, “I stand in the presence of the Lord of Armies”.❤️
Happy Monday sweeties!
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The Lord of Angel Armies has just been popping up in my Bible reading lately! Having God with us is all we need but angel armies are ready to fight for us!
This story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal just fires me up like reading about David running toward Goliath! God uses people He chooses to defeat the enemy and bring people to God. May we keep our hearts prepared and ready for when God gives us opportunities to stand in the gap and bring others to Him!
Praying for all. Continue your prayers for baby Levi and Tammy.
Praying for Rhonda and Gene!
Prayers for baby Levi and Tammy. ❤️
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The faithful, bold commitment that Elijah lives out is just really quite remarkable. We don’t read anything that indicates he questioned God or that he was fearful and yet I’m sure he must have been. He goes forward with such a strong confidence, perhaps even perceived as careless by some? I mean pouring water on a fire seems quite counterproductive, and yet it was no match for the power of the Lord to come forth. Elijah’s faith was unwavering in coming face to face with a man that had the power to put people to death.
A few lines from the devotional really jumped out to me in relation to the health scenario in my life. “I can only hope to live in such a way during hard times, remaining rooted in Jesus”, “It’s the choice to live from a place of faith and trust even when your circumstances give you every reason to doubt the safety of your own life.”, and “I pray that as we journey with God, our lived experience with His love assures us down to our bones that He is trustworthy and worth following, come what may.”
The danger I faced was not an army that could put me to death, rather a well educated, highly trained, kind group of people that were laying out 2 treatment options that were either, A) not good at all or B) terrible. It felt impossible to me with horrible symptoms and side effects, subjecting my already ravaged body that was still recovering from the effects of a cancer that had left me fighting to live. Their best suggestions felt like an inevitable death sentence. It was truly not even me in that moment because I could not even belive the words that I was saying when I just said, “What if we do nothing?” I was scared saying it, making it sound like I was questioning their expertise, but my brain could not fathom agreeing to what they thought was the best options. To my surprise, the response was we could wait and watch. As my husband and I left that grueling, hopeless 2 hour information overload appt, I turned to him and said, “We have no choice but to trust God.” I am now 20 months since the detected reoccurance of cancer and the tumor has remained stable – small with no progression or further metastasis. I have no doubt whatsoever that I made the right decision to trust God. Going forward, I have had to “trust God to my bones” and “live in faith and trust” as Bailey said in the devotional. This is not easy to do at all, and certainly not without fear or anxiety, and yet knowing that God is who He says He is, reading countless stories from His Word of how He leads, guides, protects, carries and saves His people over and over and over gives me(us)the courage and boldness to press on.
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Lord, give us the confidence, strength and boldness to trust in you at every moment. No matter our circumstance or situation Lord, help us to know without question that you are faithfully present with us, leading us, guiding us, protecting us to show us your ways and bring honor and glory to your name. Give us a longing and desire to walk in step with you, to abide in your presence so we can hear your voice and know your ways as Elijah did. Thank you Father for the ways you have worked in my life and the days you have given me. May your name be lifted high. Amen✝️
Wendy – I will be praying with you that the tumor will remain stable and not metastasis, and Lord willing – He will take it away completely.
Agree un that prayer! ❤
To God be the glory for increasing your faith!
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Just wow ❤️
God’s wisdom and ways are so perfect for you and for each of us. We might be walking in the valley, but we have a God who is not the author of confusion. Praying for you, Wendy.
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Amen! While reading the song, my new fave, gave to mind by Bethel “I’ve Witnessed It!” Our stones of testimonies is to share! When we witness miracles tell the world. When we are waiting on healings…tell the world. When we accept His will, no matter what comes,…tell the world! That shines the light and glory to Him!! I love every time you share you’re Red Sea story Wendy!! Still praying for you and no cancer. You are such a witness!! Love you!
Amazing testimony of trusting God and his faithfulness! ❤️
“May we be single-hearted, single-minded, and fiercely committed to the God who holds all things together and will never leave us.” Yes and Amen! Thank you Bailey for this challenge.
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Jeremiah 32:39 – ” I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.”
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Philippians 2:2 – “then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
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This is God’s desire for the church. To live as one in heart and in mind. Why is it that so often we really miss the mark when it comes to being of one mind and heart?
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Elijah didn’t waver. He was bold and courageous and demanded that God’s people make a decision – choose God or choose Baal. And like the Israelites, we too have a decision to make – choose God, or choose anything or anyone else. Don’t be fooled, there are many idols in this world today. They come in many forms and can be SO deceiving!
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God’s people made a choice. They ALL saw, they ALL fell prostrate, they All cried: “The Lord – He is God! The Lord – He is God!…single-hearted, single – minded, fiercely committed.
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Father God, may this be able to be said about us, sisters in Christ -your church. May we be of single heart and mind and fiercely committed to You who holds everything together. We praise you God because you never leave us or forsake us. You are steadfast, immovable, unchanging. All glory to You.
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@Kelly Neo – continued prayers for “your” mama and little one. Glad to hear he is making efforts to eat!
@Lynn from Alabama – prayers for you as you re-enter the work world today!
@Traci Gendron – continued prayers for your BIL
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Blessings to each of you on this Monday morning! ❤️
“Father God, may this be able to be said about us, sisters in Christ -your church. May we be of single heart and mind and fiercely committed to You who holds everything together. We praise you God because you never leave us or forsake us. You are steadfast, immovable, unchanging. All glory to You.“ Amen and Amen!!!
Its been awhile since I’ve posted here. I read the remarks but usually dont write one myself. But today my family needs prayers. Prayers are power and my son is fighting a very ugly court battle for his children. His ex would like full custody. The kids miss their dad. It’s a mess. Today, this morning is his court hearing. We will go and stand in Gods presence and trust in Him, will you stand with us with your prayers?
Praying for favor for your son in court today!
Praying for your son, the children, and all involved.
God loves those children more than anyone on earth and He will take care of them. ❤️
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Praying for wisdom to prevail in this matter and that God will move on behalf of your son and these children. Amen to GramiSue’s comment! ❤
Standing with you in prayer Suzi. How sad that your son has to fight to see his children. The world is so broken. But God is Almighty and He is able! Praying for your son, his children and for you.❤️
Praying for God’s favor in your son’s request.
Praying for Gods favor for the children and the best decision for them to be protected and be raised up loving the LORD.
Praying for your son’s court case today. May God give the judge wisdom and discernment ♥️
Praying for favor for your son as he fights for custody rights.
Praying for the “war” to cool down, and favors of God to be poured out, may the children be guarded by the hand of God of any emotional traumas, fear and hurt.
Joining these sisters in prayer for all ❤️
How many times have I read this story and blithely skipped past the past where God says “…I have commanded the ravens to provide for you”?! Wait, what? God used ravens as a divine delivery service to provide food for Elijah while he was in hiding. I don’t know why, in light of the other miracles in this story of much greater magnitude, this detail struck me this morning. But I am in awe of the way God instructed Elijah to do the impossible (hide and survive in a barren wasteland) but then gave him everything he needed to be obedient. Using ravens! Nothing is impossible…
I had the same thought about the ravens!
Amen. I feel that this is a trying way that the Lord put his prophet through to stretch his faith. So humbling of a situation. I would imagine Elijah going out to the creek, hungry (perhaps also hangry), watching for the finicky birds to come or may not come, then to recognize the pattern of the food they brought in their beaks (micro portion), these birds could be finicky yet faithful in showing up to sustain him. Give us this day our daily (micro) portion. Praise be to God.
Better than Uber Eats or Door Dash.
His other creatures are more obedient to his commands than we are.
Tanya I love this comment so much it made me smile. I haven’t smiled in a while thank you for that !
Random thoughts.
I Kings 18:30, ” Then Elijah said to all people, “Come near me.” So all the people approached him. Then he repaired the Lord’s altar that had been torn down:..”
Was this a reflection of the spiritual condition of Israel? Why was the Lord’s altar torn down?
James 5:17- 18,” Elijah was an human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did rain on the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.”
” Elijah’s power came not from his education, his position in the church or goverment, or his wealth. It proceeded from his relationship with G-d,” Experiencing G-d Bible.
Oh the great story of Elijah! We did a small group study with that title by Priscilla Shier a couple years back. Really good.
To be grounded and rooted in Christ is true faith. When the winds come we will not topple, although we may be tattered and beaten up a bit. The storms come, the big threatening waves that look so scary, but then we move our eyes to Jesus.
We can’t gain this faith through just hearing, we have to go through these storms in our lives that make us wrestle and rely on God and apply our trust. Hope is fickle, but trust is surrendering and relying on God. Elijah had the trust knowing the Lord God would honor it. It’s funny though that soon after, this powerful scene, he is scared and hiding. I can’t remember, but I guess he is fleeing for his life from the King and his wife, The thing is, following God is not easy, not simple, not without ups and downs.
Elijah was bold when he needed to be, with wisdom to speak when needed, and aligned with action. Lord give me this same wisdom. I want to be bold when you want me to, speaking for you when you call me. Moving in action when you call me. But also, not moving ahead of you, and using this mouth for my own emotions. It is a battle for sure.
Thank you Lord for your word. For showing your power when we need it. May we stand tall and not waiver when you embolden us.
Amen. ❤️
I did that study around the same time you did! ❤ Interesting that he exhibited such trust in his service to God, but then feared for his life to the point of giving up and God didn’t reprimand him, didn’t say, “Elijah, Who is your God; where is your faith?” He allowed Elijah to bow out.
I did that same study while Steve and I were at Mayo for his radiation and chemo treatments on his brain cancer. Very powerful!
There will be troubles in this life. He has told us this.
Yet He has also told us that He will never leave us or forsake us!
Our faith grows in the storms.
Thanks for sharing Rhonda! ❤️
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❤️ such bold prayers! Thank you Rhonda.
Elijah’s listening, believing and obedience. (Was the taunting at God’s instruction or all Elijah?) Regardless, Elijah exuded full confidence that the Lord would come through.
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When the people of Israel saw the soaking wet sacrifice be consumed by fire, THEN they said “The Lord, He is God!” Reminds me of the well known phrase – “seeing is believing” or in other words, lack of faith. How many times did they turn their backs on the Lord, and how many times did He show His power in some mighty way to gain their attention? So many …..
May we always stay strong in our belief in the one and only true God, and live our lives in a way that keeps that belief/faith strong. Let’s stay in His Word, sisters. Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
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Side note – 1 Kings 18:3 “Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly.”
Yet he worked for Ahab (voluntarily or forced?) who “did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.” What a challenge to work daily in such an environment.
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Ahab believed Elijah when he told him the rain was coming, no challenge or quarrel … Ahab rode away yet Elijah ran and beat Ahab to Jezreel “Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab”
Girded up his loins was footnoted as “tucked the skirts of his robe in his belt in preparation for quick travel” Elijah got ready in anticipation of what the Lord would do or give him the ability to do, am I ready?
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LYNNE FROM AL – wishing you an awesome return to your new old job ❤️❤️
TRACI GENDRON – praying for BIL and your safe travels
Beautiful
(heart)
Great reflections as always! Thank you, sister! ❤
❤️ very challenging for Obadiah to work under such leadership. Grief and oppression daily, even death threat I gathered from his conversation, what a sacrifice of himself (and his mental health) to go through that, so he can save many God’s prophets in such a time. Joining you in prayers sister.
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Baal worship is what led to the captivates. Israel lost everything, which is what happens when you walk away from God. 1 seemingly small act of defiance had consequences for generations. May we stay fixed on God.
Father forgive my doubt, reward and build my faith. In Jesus name, Amen
One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, as the people of Israel did, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!”
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Elijah’s life and mission, like most faithful prophets, was hard and lonely, yet he knew his place and call to declare the message he was given.
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As the Lord of Armies lives, in whose presence [you] stand, be with you all today.
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Update: I spent a couple hours with my young mama and her baby in the hospital yesterday. He was off the IV and she had refused the insertion of the feeding tube. I gave the baby “a good talking to” about not eating. ;-) Then worked on getting him to drink some water from a bottle between some play and snuggles. ❤️❤️
A few hours after I left, mama texted that he had “latched” several times and had eaten some solid food.
Yea! Thankful for the movement in the right direction.
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RHONDA J – praying Savanah turns to the Lord for His help to overcome.
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HIS SPARROW – praying your FIL is doing better.
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LINDA IN NC – praying for you and Gene
Play, snuggles and a good talking to ❤️
Praise the Lord for the good report and praying the little one continues to improve.
I’m so glad you got to be a friend for her, I’m sure you were a gift she appreciated immensely. Thank you Lord for the answered prayers for the baby eating and no feeding tube! We continue our prayers for this mamma and baby, and for you and your friendship with her. And for your husband to find a job that is perfect. Thank you for the prayers for Sav.
Thank you for the update on mama & baby!! Glad to hear he is making small improvements!
Kelly, the other thing to look into for that little baby is if there is a tongue tie. That often will cause problems and the doctors don’t really address that.
You are such a blessing to so many.❤️
So glad to hear the baby is taking nourishment. Will continue praying for both of them and the other requests.
Kelly, what an encouraging update!!! Bless that little boy with a hunger and thirst, Father, so he has sustenance to fight! Like Elijah, he needs nourishment for this journey. Bless this young mama’s heart; let her faith in You grow, not falter, through this trial and may Your Hand make a way where there seems (at this time) that there is no way. In Jesus mighty Name we pray and praise, Amen ❤
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Keeping you and your hubby in prayer, too, Kelly. Holding you up, sweet sister! ❤
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Love the update❤️
❤️ so sweet of an update. Continued prayers ❤️.
Praying for a faith that doesn’t waver!
Amen! ❤️❤️