Have you ever done everything you knew to do but then GOD does not do what you expect HIM to? Does it mean HE isn’t there for you or that you misunderstood HIM? No way.
Elijah was quite a colorful character and his adventures are amazing. But part of his story puzzled me. The explanations I heard just did not seem to quite cut it for me. Then recently hearing a preacher’s comments turned on the light.
GOD told Elijah to go tell the wicked King Ahab it would not rain and there would be a terrible drought. So, he did what GOD asked him and then got on his knees and prayed that it would not rain (Note GOD told Elijah what to pray for). And it did not rain for 3 ½ years. GOD told Elijah hid by a brook. GOD told Elijah that HE had arranged for an unclean bird, a raven to bring him food in the place. When the brook dried up GOD told Elijah to go a different country (Zarephath) and GOD commanded a widow there to take care of him by keeping her flour and oil from running out- (see 1 Kings 17).
Then after a 3 ½ drought GOD came to Elijah and told him to go to the wicked King Ahab and tell him it would rain again. Elijah balked at 1st out of fear but did as GOD told him to do. Then Elijah, at the word of the LORD, told the king to have the people and the 450 false prophets of Baal that ate at King Ahab’s wife Jezebel’s table to go up to Mount Carmel. Up on the mountain there was a contest between the 450 prophets of Baal and Elijah to see who could get their GOD to burned up the sacrifice. The purpose was to show the people who was the true GOD. (It’s an excitingly, though bloody tale well worth reading in 1 Kings 18).
Elijah did everything GOD told him to do. Listen in to part of Elijah’s prayer in the contest on Mount Carmel, “let it be known this day that THOU are GOD in Israel and that I am YOUR servant, and that I have done all these things at YOUR word” (1 Kings 18:36).
Fire came down and burned Elijah’s sacrifice, Elijah told the people to kill Baal’s prophets. And then he went and prayed 7 times and down came the rain in torrents. What a successful ministry.
But when he heard that Jezebel put out an order to kill him he ran, and ran and ran (get the details in 1 Kings 19). Now that is where I was puzzled. Didn’t GOD just prove HIMSELF over and over… why is Elijah running? It wasn’t fear for his life for he asked GOD to kill him (1 Kings 19:4).
Although Elijah did everything GOD told him to do, GOD did not do what Elijah EXPECTED HIM to do. GOD didn’t wipe out the evil government or make Israel great again.
Did GOD fail Elijah. NO!
What Elijah didn’t know was GOD’s plan. GOD’s plan was to Rapture Elijah up into heaven in chariots of fire with horses of fire.
When it looks like GOD has let us down, you can bet it is for the very same reason. We do not know what GOD is doing nor understand the good plan HE has for us.
At those times, and some feel right now is one of those times, claim GOD’s word that HE is working all things together for an end result of good for those who love HIM (Romans 8:28). Remember, those who believe in JESUS will also be Raptured up into heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). If you have read the end of the story you already know that GOD will deal with the wicked in HIS time and HIS way (Revelation 20:15).
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 