“Then Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.’ 42) So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43) and said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea. So he went up and looked, and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And seven times he said, ‘Go again.’
44) Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!’ So he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.” (1 Kings 18:41-44 NKJV).
In the last session, we see Elijah with a great victory on Mount Carmel. God was revealed in a mighty way. Now that the people have acknowledged God, it is time to restore the rain. God was not finished performing miracles. “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” (James 5:16 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition /AMPC)
“Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. 46) Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.” (1 Kings 18:45-46 NKJV).
Elijah was able to outrun a team of horses and chariot! What kind of man was he? One that walked in the power of the Holy Spirit, in a mighty way. Even in times of victory, we find ourselves exhausted. The rest of the story shows that Elijah was also human.
“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2) Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.’ 3) And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
4) But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:1-4 NKJV).
When we get tired with the battles of life, we get spiritually drained. We need a reality check, and a touch from God, to refresh us. There is no record of Elijah fearing for his life from Ahab, but only from Jezebel. There was a spirit behind Jezebel, and it is a strong one. That spirit still exists today. It can manifest through certain individuals and even in some churches. “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” (Revelation 2:20 NKJV).
“Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ 6) Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7) And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.’ 8) So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.” (1 Kings 19:5-8 NKJV).
We remember the story of the ravens feeding Elijah with Bread and Steak. Now we have the first recorded case of “Angel Food Cake”. Elijah had some cake, and drank a jar of cool water, twice. That must have been some cake, to sustain him for forty days and nights! After we are refreshed physically, God restores us spiritually. Then we are ready to face the battle once again.
We will continue in Part 8. We pray you are enjoying this series so far. CHRIS
Covenant Chronicles with Chris Lovett 