Left Alone

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 thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. (1 Kings 19:10 KJV)

Ahab had gone home where he explained to Jezebel how Elijah had not only challenged Ba’al’s priests but how God had sent fire to light a soaked sacrifice in response to Elijah’s prayers. Then he described the death of the priests. Instead of being impressed with the response, she became enraged at the questioning, the lessening, of her power. She was more determined than ever to destroy Elijah as a token of the God who rejected her.

Yet, it is Elijah, not Jezebel, who feels alone – even I only, am left – wandering into the wilderness to beg God to allow him to die.

Well, Elijah is not alone. Each one of us has had one of those great moments of insight where we’ve understood God’s place and His power. We’ve seen His work – though it may not have been fire raining down on a water-soaked offering. We’ve known His place in our lives and we’ve made a commitment to Him, only to find ourselves wandering in a wilderness wondering, “What happened?”

Then we’ve looked for Him again, to find that power and wonder:

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12 KJV)

We want the power of the wind that can break rocks, the earthquake that shakes the foundation of the earth, or the fire that will destroy what was made. We want the miracles that stand the world on its head, but we get the still, small, voice.

That voice tells us we’re not alone.

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. (1 Kings 19:18 KJV)

We are not alone – and not simply because we have our Lord with us at all times. We are not alone because there are others who love and serve Him. Because they do, we are loved by others as much as He loves us.

Elijah did not wrap himself in the importance of God’s message and proclaim it to the world – he next passed his mantle to Elisha. Can we do as well, letting the next generation pick up where we left off – even with unfulfilled prophecies and expectations? Or do we see only where they lack, not accepting God’s fulfilling grace to see to the continuation of His message? Or do we still feel too alone?