This chapter is based on 1 Kings 18:41-46; 19:1-8.
(SS 82)
With the slaying of the prophets of Baal, the way was opened for carrying forward a mighty spiritual reformation. The judgments of Heaven had been executed; the people had confessed their sins and acknowledged the God of their fathers. Now the curse was to be withdrawn, and the land was to be refreshed with rain. “Get thee up, eat and drink,” Elijah said to Ahab, “for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” Then the prophet went to the top of the mount to pray.
(SS 82.1)
He saw no clouds in the heavens; he heard no thunder. Throughout the day he had revealed his implicit confidence in God’s word; and now he knew that Heaven would bestow the blessings foretold. The same God who had sent the drought had promised rain as the reward of rightdoing. In an attitude of humility, Elijah interceded with God in behalf of penitent Israel.
(SS 82.2)
Again and again he sent his servant to a point overlooking the Mediterranean, to learn whether there was any visible token that God had heard his prayer. Each time the servant returned with the word, “There is nothing.” The prophet did not lose faith, but continued pleading. Six times the servant returned with the word that there was no sign of rain in the brassy heavens. Undaunted, Elijah sent him forth once more. This time the servant returned with the word, “Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.”
(SS 82.3)
This was enough! In that small cloud Elijah beheld by faith an abundance of rain; and he acted in harmony with his faith, sending his servant quickly to Ahab with the message, “Prepare thy chariot, get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.”
(SS 82.4)
Because Elijah was a man of large faith, God could use him. His faith grasped the promises of Heaven, and he persevered in prayer. He did not wait for the full evidence that God had heard him but was willing to venture all on the slightest token of divine favor. And what he was enabled to do under God, all may do in their sphere in God’s service. “Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.” James 5:17, RSV.
(SS 83.1)
Faith such as this is needed today—faith that will lay hold of the promises of God’s Word, faith that brings strength for coping with the powers of darkness. Through faith God’s children have “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, ... won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” Hebrews 11:33, 34, RSV.
(SS 83.2)
Faith is an essential element of prevailing prayer. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. With the persistence of Elijah, we may present our petitions to the Father. The honor of His throne is staked for the fulfillment of His word.
(SS 83.3)
The shades of night were gathering about Mount Carmel as Ahab prepared for the descent. “It came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.” As he journeyed toward the royal city through the darkness and blinding rain, he was unable to see before him. Elijah had that day humiliated him before his subjects and slain his idolatrous priests, but he still acknowledged him as Israel’s king. Now, as an act of homage, he ran before the royal chariot, guiding the king to the city.
(SS 83.4)
In this gracious act shown to a wicked king is a lesson for all who claim to be servants of God. There are those who hesitate to perform menial duties, fearing that they will be doing the work of a servant. Elijah had been signally honored of God as fire had flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice; his petition for rain had been granted. And yet, after God had been pleased to honor his public ministry, he was willing to perform the service of a menial.
(SS 83.5)
At the gate of Jezreel, Elijah and Ahab separated. The prophet, choosing to remain outside the walls, wrapped himself in his mantle and lay down on the bare earth to sleep. The king soon reached the shelter of his palace and related to his wife the events of the day. As Ahab told of the slaying of the idolatrous prophets, Jezebel, hardened and impenitent, became infuriated. She refused to recognize the overruling providence of God, and still defiant, boldly declared that Elijah should die.
(SS 84.1)
That night a messenger aroused the weary prophet and delivered the word of Jezebel: “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”
(SS 84.2)
It would seem that after showing courage so undaunted, and after triumphing so completely over king and priests and people, Elijah could never afterward have given way to despondency nor been awed into timidity. But in this dark hour his faith and courage forsook him. Bewildered, he started from his slumber. The rain was pouring from the heavens, and darkness was on every side. Forgetting that three years before, God had directed his course to a place of refuge, the prophet now fled for his life.
(SS 84.3)
Elijah should not have fled. He should have met the threat of Jezebel with an appeal for protection to the One who had commissioned him. He should have told the messenger that the God in whom he trusted would protect him against the hatred of the queen. Had he made God his refuge and strength, he would have been shielded from harm. The Lord would have sent His judgments on Jezebel, and the impression made on king and people would have wrought a great reformation.
(SS 84.4)
Elijah had hoped that after the miracle on Carmel Jezebel would no longer have influence over Ahab and that there would be a speedy reform throughout all Israel. All day on Carmel he had toiled without food. Yet when he guided the chariot of Ahab to Jezreel, his courage was strong despite the physical strain. But a reaction frequently follows high faith and glorious success. Elijah feared that the reformation begun might not be lasting, and depression seized him. In this time of discouragement, with Jezebel’s threat sounding in his ears and Satan still apparently prevailing, he lost his hold on God.
(SS 85.1)
Forgetting God, Elijah fled on and on, until he found himself in a dreary waste, alone. Utterly wearied, he sat down to rest under a juniper tree, and requested that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” His spirit crushed by bitter disappointment, he desired never again to look on the face of man. At last, exhausted, he fell asleep.
(SS 85.2)
To all there come times of keen disappointment and discouragement—days when it is hard to believe that God is still kind, days when troubles harass till death seems preferable to life. Then many lose their hold on God and are brought into the slavery of doubt and unbelief. Could we at such times discern the meaning of God’s providences, we should see angels seeking to save us from ourselves, striving to plant our feet on a firm foundation, and new faith, new life, would spring into being.
(SS 85.3)
The faithful Job in his affliction and darkness declared:
(SS 86.1)
Let the day perish wherein I was born. O that I might have my request, ... I would choose ... death ... . I loathe my life. Job 3:3; 6:8; 7:15, 16, RSV
(SS 86)
But though weary of life, Job was not allowed to die. To him was given the message of hope:
(SS 86.2)
You will forget your misery;
(SS 86)
You will remember it as waters that have passed away. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; Its darkness will be like the morning. Job 11:16, 17, RSV
(SS 86.3)
From the depths of despondency Job rose to the heights of trust in God. Triumphantly he declared:
(SS 86.4)
For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He will stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God. Job 19:25, 26, NKJV
(SS 86)
When Job caught a glimpse of his Creator, he abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes. Then the Lord was able to bless him and make his last years the best of his life.
(SS 86.5)
Despondency is sinful and unreasonable. God is willing “more abundantly” (Hebrews 6:17) to bestow on His servants the strength they need. The plans of the enemies of His work may seem firmly established, but God can overthrow the strongest of these. For the disheartened there is a sure remedy—faith, prayer, work. Are you tempted to give way to anxious foreboding or despondency? In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. God knows your need. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Never will He change the covenant He has made with those who love Him. And He will bestow on His faithful servants the efficiency that their need demands. Paul has testified: “He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ ... For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness ...; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10, RSV.
(SS 86.6)
Did God forsake Elijah in his trial? No! He loved His servant no less when he felt forsaken of God and man. And now a soft touch and pleasant voice awoke him. The pitying face bending over him was not the face of an enemy, but of a friend. God had sent an angel with food. “Arise and eat,” the angel said. “And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head.”
(SS 87.1)
After Elijah had partaken of the refreshment, he slept again. A second time the angel touched the exhausted man, and said with pitying tenderness, “Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.” In the strength of that food he was able to journey “forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God,” where he found refuge in a cave.
(SS 87.2)