No, There Are Other 7,000

Elijah’s ministry was dramatic and spectacular. His mission to revive the people of God and restore true religion was genuine and had God backing. In this lesson, we shall look at His Message, Mission And Mistake

His Message
God raised up Elijah to challenge the ungodly reign of Ahab who rejected the God of Israel and promoted idol worship. Truly, evil reigns when the righteous refuse to speak.
Elijah appeared unannounced with a message which was the focus of his ministry ‘And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, saith unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word’. (I Kings 18:1) He spoke the word of God fearlessly. Why do you fear man when God has given you a message? Be courageous. Fear is an enemy you must eliminate from your life if you want to please God.
The message of Elijah was direct and clear. It ushered in the commencement of his ministry. God withheld rain for 3 and half years in answer to Elijah’s prayer. ‘Elijah was a man subject to like passion as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months’. (James 5:17)

His Mission
He was grieved for the backsliden Israel and called for true worship. ‘And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him’. (I Kings 18:21)
Why do you keep delaying the day of your salvation? Tomorrow may be too late. Don’t wait till the day of death to decide for Christ. Idol worship did not save Israel. It won’t save you too. ‘And the time of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent’ (Acts 17:30)
Baal, the god of backslidden Israel disappointed on the day of battle. So will your idols disappoint you when death come calling. Your only route of escape is Jesus Christ. ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and they house’. (Acts 16:31)
The boldness of Elijah was manifest in his message and mission. You as a child of God must stand for Him in the midst of this evil world. Lift up the banner of godliness and true religion.

His Mistake
Elijah was a man subject to like passion as we do. He was overwhelmed by the duty of his ministry. He saw nobody to assist him. He was lonely and depressed. It was in that condition he lost his courage and zeal. ‘And he said , I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain they prophets with the sword, and I , even I only , am left; and they seek my life, to take it away’. (1 Kings 19:10)
Elijah made a mistake in thinking that there was nobody else who followed the Lord. At that hour, God immediately provided the alternative to Elijah and informed him of the existence of other 7,000 prophets yet to bow to Baal. ‘And the Lord said unto him, Go, retun on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to the king over Syria: and Jeshu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meloha shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.’ (1 Kings 19:15-16) ‘Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him’. (vs 18)
Here is a vital lesson for us. At no point should we think that because of our anointing and gifts, we are indispensable before God. Yes, we are important for the propagation of His work and will on earth but we are not indispensable. All we have are given to us by God. We should use the gifts as faithful stewards with humility. ‘For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (I Cor. 4:7)
May you find grace to abide in his presence forever. Amen

Soul Searching Question
Where will you spend eternity?

Obedience When It seems Difficult

Thanks be to God for His abundant grace and mercy. Let me thank Him for your life and those of your acquaintances. In Him we live, we move and have our being. Special thanks to God for the gift of life.
This series is back of board after sometime off to retreat. With the new spirit and anointing, I believe God to specially touch you and inspire you through His precious and powerful word.
Our lesson today shall be taken from the book of 2 Kings Chapter 4:1-7
A certain woman of the wives of the prophets displayed a rare quality of obedience in difficult times. She is an example to us living today in faith, courage and obedience.

The Problem
Her husband died. That left her to be a widow in her youthfulness. Those she taught could be of help among her husband peers and family disappointed her. Yet she would not be deterred. She recognized the need to seek counsel from the man of God. Do you seek counsel from your spiritual leaders when there is problem? That could be responsible for your lack of miracle.
'Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, ‘Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen’.
To compound her situation, the creditor came calling. With no money, she had to release her sons to be slaves. That she could not endure. She called to Elisha an anointed prophet of God for godly counsel. Why do you seek counsel from ungodly men in time of sorrow?

Her Faith‘He that come to God must believe that He is God and a rewarder of they that diligently seek Him’. ‘And the just shall live by faith’. This woman believed she would find solution to her problem through godly counsel. She knew that God would intervene in her situation. She took a positive step that transformed her life and saved her children.
‘And Elisha said unto her, what shall I do for thee? Tell me what hast thou in the house?Despite her need, it was still necessary that she recognize what was in her hand. No matter your situation, your miracle may start from what is in your hand.

Her Courage and Obedience
She took step on the counsel of the man of God. Though things were tight, yet she obeyed the word of the prophet. She could have given reasons why the word of the man of God could not be obeyed. It was a difficult thing to do. Why borrow again when the present problem arose from debt. All what she was asked to do belied human methods and reason. Still, she obeyed.
‘So she went from him and shut the door upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out’. If we ever desire to obey God, the triplets of Faith, Courage and Godly wisdom are a necessity. This widow had all. She obeyed when things seemed difficult. No excuse for disobedience. The more you obey God and His anointed ministers, the more multiplied your miracle. Total obedience is the key to constant outpouring of daily miracle from God into our lives.


Soul Searching Question
If tonight were to be your last day on earth, where will you spend eternity?