I Kings 19 Elijah ran from Mt Carmel, which is in the northwest corner of Israel to Jezreel where Ahab's palace was built.  But, when Jezebel threatened his life, he ran to Beersheba in the south, then further into the wilderness ( where he rests and is fed by an angel)  and finally to Horeb/ Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.  There, Elijah meets with the Lord.

"What are you doing here, Elijah?" the Lord asks him, twice.  Both times Elijah answers, " I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thy altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life to take it away."  ( v10 and 14).  After the first time they have this exchange, God directs Elijah to stand on the mountain and then He passes by him.  There is a strong wind, then an earthquake, followed by a fire, and finally a gentle breeze.  Picture Elijah, high up on a rocky mountain side, clinging to the rocks as the wind comes, breaking pieces of rock that go flying all around him; yet he is not struck ... then feeling the trembling of an earthquake, watching boulders shake and tumble past; yet he does not fall.   Still clinging to the mountain, Elijah feels the burning heat of a fire, yet he is not burned.  How long, I wonder did this go on?  But then, Elijah hears "the sound of a gentle blowing".  Instantly, he knows that this is the Lord.  He wraps his face with his mantle and again the Lord asks him, " What are you doing here, Elijah ?" When Elijah's answer has not changed, the Lord gives him an assignment.

Elijah heads back north - He is to anoint Hazael as king of Aram ( Syria); Jehu as king of Israel; and Elisha as his own replacement.   The Lord also promises Elijah that there are 7000 in Israel that have not worshipped Baal and will be spared.  Elijah is able to return now.  He finds Elisha and throws his mantle on him.

Did Elijah learn what he needed to know about God on the holy mountain?  He is able to return to his duties as the Lord's prophet.  He doesn't falter or run away again after this.  In fact, he seems very sure of himself and the mission that God has for him.  God had revealed Himself to Elijah in a way that he could grasp.  Through hurricane winds, through earthquakes, through fire.. God did not seem to be there.. but He was. Yet, it was in the gentle breeze that Elijah met Him.  In the quiet and stillness came the assurance that Elijah needed and received.

Truth - God knows exactly where we are.  Physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, He knows just how to meet us.. we just have to listen, really listen.

Father in heaven, Almighty and Glorious in majesty and power, we thank You for Your kindness to us. Thank You for the Word and for the still small voice of Your Spirit, who meets us in our times of need. Speak, Lord, for we our inclining our ears to You.  Lead us in Your paths and help us to trust and obey.  In the Name of Jesus we ask this, amen.

I Kings 18  At the end of 3 years Elijah is instructed to go to Ahab.  The Lord is ready to return the rain to Israel, but first He will give the people another opportunity to return to serving Him.  All of Israel is gathered together at Mount Carmel.  450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah are brought in to offer an oxen to their gods while Elijah stands alone to present an offering to the One true God.   Elijah gives them every advantage - they choose the ox, they go first, and they take as much time as they want - yet there is no response, no voice, and no reactions - proving that these idols were nothing!  Then Elijah builds an altar to the Lord out of 12 stones, representing all the tribes of Israel, slays the oxen, soaks it thoroughly with water, and then prays.  " Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench."

There was an immediate response of worship - "And when the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, 'The Lord, He is God; the Lord, He is God.'"

But, it is not over yet.  Elijah sends Ahab home after killing all of the false prophets.  Then Elijah prays for the rain to start.. and then there is a heavy shower.

Tozer said, " Few of us have let our hearts gaze in wonder at the I AM, the self-existant Self back of which no creature can think."  And, " Some knowledge of what kind of God it is that operates the universe is indispensable to a sound philosophy of life and a sane outlook on the world scene."  This account of Elijah gives us a snapshot into the Greatness of our God.  We need to gaze at Him here... and soak in the Truth of Who He is... and when we see Him, really see Him, we too will fall on our faces, crying " The Lord, He is God!"

Truth - The Lord, the I AM, eternal, self-existent God Who has revealed Himself to us, is the Almighty God, the triune Creator and Sovereign of the universe.   He alone is worthy of our worship, our service, our devotion, our time, our lives.   He sends rain and withholds rain.  He reveals Himself in power, in love, and in His greatness.

Father, open our eyes so that we can see You,  to know Your greatness, to fall before You in real worship.  Open my eyes Lord.  Thank You for revealing Yourself to us through the wonders of Your creation, through the power of Your Word, and through the life of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ the Lord. Be glorified! You are the King of Glory! Amen.

I Kings 17 Elijah's first recorded prophecy is given to Ahab, "As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." 

Then Elijah follows the Lord's instructions and goes into isolation - first to the brook Cherith where he is fed by ravens that bring him meat and bread; and then to the widow in Zarephath.  There, the Lord provides for him and the widow and her son by multiplying the flour and oil continually so that it never runs out during this famine.  When the widow's son dies, it is Elijah who prays and pleads with the Lord to revive him and the child is brought back to life.

Elijah was just a man, like any other.  But, he was a man who believed God, obeyed God, and knew God.  To go to a king, especially one like Ahab, and announce a drought, took a lot of courage, but Elijah obeyed.  To trust God to provide food... to ask a poor widow to use her last bit of flour to make him some bread.. took a great deal of faith also.  To pray for a dead child and see him revived... these were life changing experiences that strenghtened  Elijah's faith and prepared him for the future purposes that God had for him.

Truth - God is able to do anything!  Nothing is impossible for Him! God brings before us challenges, opportunities for us to act in faith, and in obedience, so that we know these truths.

Father,  I do not know what Your plans and purposes are for me- for today or for the rest of my life; but I pray that I will be able to stand firm in Christ.  Let Your Truth be my belt and Your Righteousness, my breastplate.  I will believe and obey Your Voice, with Your help, by the might of Your Spirit within me.  Take my life and let it be Yours.  May Your Name be glorified in all the earth today!  Turn hearts back to You... The One True God.  Amen

I Kings 15-16   For some reason I find the history of the kings very fascinating.   Just reading through these chapters again, I needed to make myself a timeline of sorts as the narrative alternates through the successions of each reign.  After Solomon died the kingdom was split once again into the two nations, Israel and Judah.  Rehoboam, Solomon's son ruled in Judah and Jeroboam was given rule of Israel.  Both of these men turned away from God's ways.  There was constant war between the two nations for the rest of their lives.

When Rehoboam died after reigning 17 years, his son Abijam took the throne for 2 years.  He also failed to follow the Lord. But after him, Asa, his son became king and did good in the eyes of the Lord.  He ruled for 41 years.

Meanwhile, Jeroboam ruled for 22 years, followed by his son Nadab for 2 years.  Then Baasha killed all of Jeroboam's family and ruled for 24 years followed by his son Elah, for the next 2 years.  Then Zimri killed Elah and all of Baasha's family and took the throne for 7 days.  When he saw that he was surrounded by the army of Israel, Zimri took his own life by burning down the kings house on top of himself.  Omni, the head of the army became king of Israel next, after a brief challenge by Tibni, and ruled for 12 years.  He was followed by his son, Ahab.

During the early rule of Ahab, Asa, the king of Judah died and his son Jehoshaphat became king in his place.

Sometime through all of this violence and trouble, Elijah comes on the scene. About 100 years after David's death, a new man of God, the prophet Elijah comes to lead Israel back to the Only True God.

 In chapter 16:34 there is a brief note - " In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid the foundations with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segue, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun."

Truth - God's Word is always fulfilled.  It is perfect and sure.  The division of the kingdom was foretold and happened.  The death of Jeroboam and all his family happened just as he was told.  The death of Baasha's  family also was foretold and happened.  The long ago prophecy about the rebuilding of Jericho happened just as Joshua said.  These were all judgements that God gave and carried out.  Thankfully, we can also count on God to fulfill His good and perfect promises too.  May we cling to that truth and walk always in His light.

Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent us a Redeemer, just like You said You would.
Once again we look to You to fulfill the final, glorious promise of His return.  Thank You for the reminder that You always keep Your Word and that we can rest in that Truth.
Amen

I Kings 14  Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam fail to be godly kings.   Both bring idolatry into full force in Israel and Judah.  Both are judged by God and given dire consequences.

Verses 1-20 tell of Jeraboam's loss of his son Abijah, the result of his sinfulness.  Jeroboam reigns for 22 years and is succeeded by another son, Nadab.   Rehoboam rules Judah for 17 years.  During the 5th year of his reign Judah is attacked by Egypt and all of the "treasures of the house of the Lord"  are taken.   His son, Abijam, becomes king after Rehoboam dies.

Truth:  Idolatry destroys.  It destroyed Jeroboam and Rehoboam.  It destroyed the nations of Israel and Judah.  It continues to destroy men and women and nations.  God calls it evil, an abomination, a sin.  Idolatry will always lead to immorality and ultimately to death.   So where we see immorality and death today in our world - we can trace it back to the idol that is being served....

Our country is plagued by violence and sexual exploitation - the idols of alcohol and drugs are often involved.  Why do people end up serving these?  Greed? Despair?  Loss of love, or hope?

Immorality is being blasted through the airways... tv, internet, music, movies.  The idol being served here may be greed - money,  ego, or power.

Immorality is seen in our highest levels of government - deceitfulness, corruption, and promotion of that which God calls an "abomination".  Murder through abortions,  immoral sexual behavior etc.
The idol - Self?  Greed or Power?

The results will be the same as it was for Rehoboam and Jeroboam - destruction will come.  God is a jealous God. He is provoked to jealousy by those who willingly and blatantly sin against Him.  He will bring judgement.  God help us when that time comes here.

Father in heaven,  I pray that You will bring about revival in our land.  I pray that You will turn the hearts of men and women, away from the culture of death, and back to Yourself, Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness.  Forgive us Lord!  I pray that You will open our eyes to see what is happening and to seek to know You more.  I pray that we might stay alert and ready for the return of Jesus Christ.  Cleanse us from all unrighteousness, lead us not into temptation and deliver us from the evil one.  I pray this in the Name and authority of Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.

I Kings 12 Since Rehoboam failed to listen to the elders and caused the rebellion of most of Israel's tribes, there was a need for a king of this newly created kingdom of Israel.  The people called for Jeroboam to rule.  God had already given the tribes to Jeroboam and so it happened.  All of this was according to the Lord's Word.

Unfortunately, Jeroboam failed to trust the Lord Who had established him as king in Israel. He worried that the people would return to Rehoboam if they went up to Jerusalem to worship.   So, he took things into his own hands and set up 2 golden calves for the people to worship before.."Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one in Dan."  Not only that, but he selected his own priests, instituted his own feasts, that  " he had devised in his own heart".. instead of obeying God's commands.

Chapter 13  A "man of God", we are not told his name, comes to Jeroboam and prophesies this, "O altar, altar, thus says the Lord, Behold a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense one, and human bones shall be burned on you."   The man tells Jeroboam that a sign will be given, the altar will break apart.  When Jeroboam stretches out his arm to order the man's arrest, his arm immediately withers!  The altar then does what the Lord said it would, it splits in two.   Jeroboam pleads with the prophet to heal him and he does.  Then the king offers him a reward, which he refuses because the Lord has commanded him not to eat or drink in that place.  The rest of this story is strange ....

An old prophet hears of what happens and goes after the man of God and brings him back.  At first the man refuses, but the old prophet claims that God has told him to come back, so he does.  But as soon as he does, the old prophet condemns him for disobeying God!  The man leaves and is attacked by a lion.  The old prophet goes out and finds his body and buries him and mourns over him.

Truth:  It is so easy to be led astray.  Rehoboam was led away by his desire to be greater than his father.  Jeroboam was led astray by his desire to keep on his own what God had already given him, not trusting Him.  The prophet was led astray by the lie of a fellow prophet.   We are led astray whenever we take our eyes off of God. We must stay in step with Him, listen to His voice, and follow His Word.  Every day and every hour, we need Him.

Father, strengthen us by Your almighty power, through Your Spirit who lives in us.. so that we might stand firm in Your Truth and walk a worthy walk with You.  Let my every step be guided by Your hand I pray. Amen.

I Kings 12  Solomon reigned 40 years as the king of Israel, then his son Rehoboam was given the throne.  Rehoboam was 41 years old at the time he became king.  He was just a baby when Solomon's reign began.  He would have been a child and young teen during the building of the temple and Solomon's palaces.  He would have been an eye witness, seeing his father marry 700 wives and take on their idols.  He would have experienced the lavish life style that came along with Solomon's wealth.  Unfortunately ,  he did not experience the relationship to the One true God that Solomon should have passed on to him.  We are told in 2 Chronicles 12:13 that his mother was Naamah the Ammonitess.  Molech " the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon" was one of the false gods that Solomon built a high place for near Jerusalem ( I Kings 11:7)

God had already told Solomon that the kingdom would be torn out of the hands of his son.  He had already told Jeroboam that He was going to give him the 10 tribes to rule.  Here in chapter 12 we see how it happens.... King Rehoboam was barely made king when Jeroboam and "all the assembly" came to him to ask for relief from the "heavy yoke" that Solomon had put on them.  Rehoboam asked for 3 days to make his decision.  He consulted the elders, who agreed with the people. Then he consulted his own friends who he had grown up with.  These men urged Rehoboam to be even more demanding than his father, to show that he was even greater... Pride and arrogance won out over reason and wisdom.  Rehoboam refused the people's request and lost 10 tribes from his kingdom.

Rehoboam had to deal with the rebellion of Israel for all of his reign.  His nation, now called Judah, would carry on the promises to David, but it would never be the same as it had been under David's or Solomon's reign.

Truth :  We all make a choice about whom we will serve.  We either serve God or we serve a false god.  That god may be a detestable image or may be our own ego.  In either case, we will actually be serving Satan.   The Lord calls us to be fully devoted to Him.  He commands us to obey His Word and to follow His ways.  We must stand firm in our devotion and commitment to Him.  For only in the Lord, the One True God, can we find life.

Father in heaven, You are infinite and mighty; You are holy and transcendent .  There is none like You.  I want to live for You with all of my heart and soul and mind and strength.  I want to love You and You alone.  You are my God.  There is no other.  I come before You with thanksgiving and praise.  You have given me life through Jesus, the Lamb of God, who has taken away the sins of the world.  Thank You for saving me.  I pray for those who are still walking in darkness and ask that You would send forth Your Light into their hearts.  Please help us to faithfully stand firm with Your Truth and Righteousness, and then boldly proclaim the Gospel wherever we go.  I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen