1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,560 Speaker 1: Let us pray. And he came thither unto a cave 2 00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: and lodged there, And behold, the word of the Lord 3 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:11,799 Speaker 1: came to him, and he said, unto him, what doest 4 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:18,479 Speaker 1: thou here? Elijah First Kings nineteen nine. When the weight 5 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:22,439 Speaker 1: of my journey weighs on me and the threats from 6 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: the cynics echo around me, strengthen me Lord, that I 7 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: can complete my mission on this earth. Provide me with 8 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:34,159 Speaker 1: the energy and spiritual nourishment to make it to the 9 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 1: next checkpoint in my journey. I make the conscious decision 10 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: to ignore the chatter and empty threats, and to remember 11 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: all the magnificent miracles You've done on my behalf. So 12 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: I say to myself, get up, keep going, because the 13 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: Lord wants to meet you on the mountain top of 14 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 1: his presence. As you speak, Lord, tune my ears to 15 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,760 Speaker 1: hear your whisper in the midst of the calamities that 16 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:10,319 Speaker 1: seem to be taking place. For it is in the 17 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: calamity that you'll teach me how to hear through the 18 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:18,480 Speaker 1: static and noise of this world. Connect me to mine 19 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 1: now and my next As you did with Elijah and Elisha, 20 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: I will finish strong and get the prize You've set 21 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: up for me to receive in Jesus name, Amen, thank 22 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: you for praying with me to day. Continue listening for 23 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: an incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible in 24 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:51,240 Speaker 1: a Year dot Com. 25 00:01:55,360 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 2: Elijah at Mount Sinai. In our last story, Elijah, the 26 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 2: God of the universe, on display against the false gods 27 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:07,320 Speaker 2: of Bel. Four hundred and fifty prophets of Bel and 28 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 2: King Ahab gathered to challenge Elijah and the One True 29 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 2: God in front of the whole nation. God sent fire 30 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 2: and rain down from the skies to prove his power 31 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:22,639 Speaker 2: and might. The blighted and unfertile land finally received rain. 32 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:27,520 Speaker 2: Now we learn about the witch Queen Jezebel. The darkness 33 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 2: she carries infects all those around her, and she seeks 34 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:33,639 Speaker 2: to take the life of Elijah for making a fool 35 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 2: out of her. The King and Baa, inspired by the 36 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 2: book The First Kings. 37 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 3: Jack Graham here today with another episode of the Bible 38 00:02:45,360 --> 00:02:48,359 Speaker 3: in a Year. In our last reading, we saw how 39 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:52,360 Speaker 3: Elijah challenged the prophence of Bail to a showdown. It 40 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 3: was their false God against the Lord, Almighty God Almighty, 41 00:02:56,240 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 3: the One True God and a place called Mount Carmel, 42 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 3: in the presence of thousands of Israelites. God showed his 43 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 3: amazing power, raining fire down from heaven upon the altar, 44 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 3: while bail was missing in action. Of course, there was 45 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 3: no bail, because he is no God. Elijah then had 46 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 3: every false prophet killed, and the Lord finally sent rain 47 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:21,920 Speaker 3: to quench the dry land in the kingdom. It was, 48 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:25,920 Speaker 3: in effect a revival. Today, we're going to hear the 49 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 3: aftermath of this great victory. How Aha and his wicked 50 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 3: wife Jezebel react to what occurred and what Elijah does 51 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 3: in response. It will be a reminder to all of 52 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 3: us that often the enemy will seek to discourage us 53 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 3: and defeat us after great victories. Let's listen today to 54 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 3: the story of Elijah, the Great Prophet. 55 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:55,119 Speaker 2: The storms raged relentlessly. Wind and rain beat against Ahab's 56 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:57,480 Speaker 2: coach as he made his way back to the palace. 57 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 2: Elijah had made a fool out of it. More than 58 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:05,120 Speaker 2: that he had slain his prophets. They have burst through 59 00:04:05,160 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 2: the palace doors and flung his wet cloak on to 60 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 2: the floor. Defeated and ashamed, he entered into his room. 61 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 2: The air changed when Ahab opened the chamber doors. The 62 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 2: atmosphere was thicker, heavier, and more sinister. To Ahabit was 63 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 2: all too familiar. His wife was in the room. There, 64 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 2: sitting in the corner was the witch Queen Jezebel. She 65 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 2: sat at attention. Authority oozed out of her and slithered 66 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:37,479 Speaker 2: about the room. She exuded strength, only it was the 67 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 2: type of strength one feared, not admired. Ahab lay at 68 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:45,280 Speaker 2: her feet and told her of everything that happened, the prophets, 69 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 2: the sacrifice, the fire, the storm, and the bloodshed. Jezebel 70 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:53,200 Speaker 2: sat silently as she listened to her husband. Although he 71 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 2: was king, he was truly a weaker vessel than she. 72 00:04:57,200 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 2: She stroked his hair and listened to his incessant Jezabel 73 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:05,560 Speaker 2: teemed with anger. The wickedness in her heart was aroused 74 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 2: at the news of Elijah and God. She stood up slowly. 75 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 2: They have watched as she paced the room. Lighting lit 76 00:05:13,000 --> 00:05:15,040 Speaker 2: up the room in an instant, and then the room 77 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 2: returned to darkness. May the gods kill me, she whispered, 78 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 2: May they kill me if by this time tomorrow I 79 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:26,799 Speaker 2: have not held Elijah's head on the tip of my spear. 80 00:05:27,920 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 2: She yelled for her servants and had them send Elijah 81 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:34,400 Speaker 2: the same message. The message wrote, may the Gods strike 82 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:36,839 Speaker 2: me down if I have not killed you as you 83 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:42,279 Speaker 2: have killed my prophets. Jezebel's threats were not empty. Elijah 84 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 2: knew that there would be no hiding from her vengeful gaze. Terrified, 85 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 2: Elijah left his servant and fled to the wilderness. All day, 86 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 2: he traveled, taking no food, water, or companion. Jezebel desired 87 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 2: for Elijah to be scared. She wanted him to be 88 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,359 Speaker 2: tormented by the idea that she could find him at 89 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 2: any minute. It was the fears she enjoyed most. Exhausted, 90 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:10,719 Speaker 2: Elijah finally stopped under a single broom tree. He laid 91 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 2: there sobbing to the Lord. He had just had such 92 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 2: a tremendous victory, and now he was hiding for his life. 93 00:06:18,440 --> 00:06:21,120 Speaker 2: His body was weary from the day before, and his 94 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:25,320 Speaker 2: mind was muddled from panic and fleeing. Elijah lay curled 95 00:06:25,400 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 2: up beside the tree and whispered to God, I have 96 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:33,159 Speaker 2: had enough, Lord, take my life. As he prayed for 97 00:06:33,240 --> 00:06:36,240 Speaker 2: the Lord to remove him from existence, he fell into 98 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:40,480 Speaker 2: a deep sleep. A slight breeze trickled in across the wilderness. 99 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,840 Speaker 2: The sun was beginning its descent across the valley, and 100 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 2: the skies were golden and beautiful. Elijah felt a gentle 101 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:51,839 Speaker 2: tug on his robe. He opened his eyes to see 102 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 2: an angel sitting beside him. Next to him were some 103 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 2: baked bread sitting on hot stones, next to a jug 104 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 2: of water. The angel smiled and said, get up and eat. 105 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 2: His voice was gentle, kind and foreign. Elijah looked down 106 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 2: at the meal and up again. The angel was gone. 107 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 2: Elijah ate and lay back down again. He slept some more, 108 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 2: this time through the night. Again, Elijah woke to the 109 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 2: angel tugging at his robe. Get up and eat, for 110 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:26,160 Speaker 2: the journey ahead will be great, the angel said. So 111 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 2: Elijah had his fill of bread and water, enough to 112 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:33,240 Speaker 2: fuel him for the long journey ahead. After resting some more, 113 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 2: Elijah rose. God was calling him somewhere sacred, somewhere only 114 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 2: few had been. God was calling Elijah to Mount Sinai. 115 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 2: For forty days, Elijah traveled through hills, valleys, and storms. 116 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 2: Elijah braved the journey to God's meeting place, the place 117 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 2: he had once spoken to Moses. He scaled the mighty 118 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 2: mountain and camped in a cave hewn by the wind. 119 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 2: There he slept and awaited the voice of God. What 120 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 2: are you doing here, Elijah, God said. Elijah woke in 121 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 2: a panic at the sound of God's voice. He stood 122 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 2: to his feet and looked outwards. I have served you fervently, 123 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 2: Elijah said. His knees were trembling and his eyes were watering. 124 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 2: But your people have rejected you. They break your covenant, 125 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 2: They destroy your altars, and they kill your prophets. Elijah 126 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:29,440 Speaker 2: was flailing his arms, now frantically, speaking with God. I 127 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 2: am the only one left. I alone, am the remaining 128 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:35,720 Speaker 2: faithful servant, and now they come after me. They want 129 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 2: to kill me, and it's not fair. Go out and 130 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:42,959 Speaker 2: stand before me at the mountain. God interrupted. Elijah walked 131 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:46,200 Speaker 2: towards the entrance of the cave and stood outside. The 132 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:49,560 Speaker 2: vast mountain range was on display before him. He could 133 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 2: see the valleys below. As Elijah stood there, a mighty 134 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 2: wind storm blew through the mountain. Elijah did all he 135 00:08:57,040 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 2: could to stay on the ground while rocks and trees 136 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:03,480 Speaker 2: were ripped from the side of the mountains. The wind ceased, 137 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 2: and Elijah composed himself there. A mighty quake came up 138 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,480 Speaker 2: from the bottom of the earth. The whole of the 139 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:14,040 Speaker 2: mountain shook and swayed like a wave. Rocks began to 140 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:17,560 Speaker 2: fall around Elijah as he ducked for cover. After this, 141 00:09:17,920 --> 00:09:21,679 Speaker 2: a great fire blew through a valley below. Yet God 142 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 2: was not in the wind. He did not speak through 143 00:09:24,559 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 2: the earthquake, nor was his presence in the fire. After 144 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 2: all these acts of greatness, God drew in close to Elijah. 145 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: All was completely silent. All Elijah could hear was the 146 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 2: sound of his own breathing. Then a gentle whisper, a still, 147 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 2: small and quiet voice. What are you doing here, Elijah, 148 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:54,560 Speaker 2: God asked gently. Elijah replied again with a whisper. The winds, earthquakes, 149 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:59,320 Speaker 2: and fires had mimicked Elijah's previously panicked demeanor. But now 150 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 2: Elijah understood how one speaks with God. I have served 151 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 2: you passionately, my Lord, but the people have fallen far 152 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 2: from you. They have killed everyone who loves you, And 153 00:10:11,440 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 2: now I am to be next. The Lord spoke to 154 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:18,440 Speaker 2: Elijah again, saying, go back the same way you came. 155 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:21,080 Speaker 2: You are my prophet, and I have given you the 156 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:24,959 Speaker 2: authority to anoint kings on my behalf. Go to Aram 157 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 2: and anoint him king over Syria. Then go to Jihu 158 00:10:28,960 --> 00:10:32,080 Speaker 2: and anoint him to be king over Israel. Then find 159 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:35,560 Speaker 2: Elishah to replace you as my prophet. There will be 160 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:39,560 Speaker 2: conflict ahead. Whoever flees from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, 161 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,559 Speaker 2: and whoever flees from Jihu will be killed by Hazael. 162 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 2: And all this blood shed, there will be seven thousand 163 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:50,400 Speaker 2: others in Israel preserved who still love me. Elijah was 164 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 2: elated to be given a new task rather than stewar 165 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 2: in his obsessive introspection. He was pleased at the Lord's 166 00:10:56,640 --> 00:10:59,360 Speaker 2: plan to use the volatility of the nations to weed 167 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 2: out the fathers a bear, so he went down and 168 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 2: found the young man known as Elisha. He was plowing 169 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 2: his father's fields. When Elijah found him, Elijah stopped his work, 170 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:12,800 Speaker 2: put his cloak over him, and told Elishah of all 171 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 2: that would take place. Elishah would follow Elijah devotedly. Together 172 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 2: they would witness the rise and fall of kings and 173 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 2: the glory of God. 174 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:27,240 Speaker 3: In today's scripture, the prophets of bail have been defeated 175 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:31,959 Speaker 3: and put to death by Elijah. And when Ahab's wife Jezebel, 176 00:11:32,040 --> 00:11:36,360 Speaker 3: here's what has happened. She is enraged. It seems clear 177 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 3: that while Ahab was king in title, Jezebel ruled the 178 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:46,079 Speaker 3: kingdom and her own household. She had previously killed countless 179 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 3: men of God. But now this single lone prophet, Elijah 180 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 3: has humiliated her and she is out for his life. 181 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 3: So she sent word to Elijah that she would kill him. 182 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 3: That very day. Elijah was terrified. Amazing, isn't it that 183 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 3: he would be so frightened after such a great victory 184 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 3: when God's power came down on Mount Carmel. Elijah is 185 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:15,080 Speaker 3: facing a very evil and crazed woman, an unhinged woman, 186 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 3: and she, of course is able to make good on 187 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:20,720 Speaker 3: her threat if she can. And in the wake of 188 00:12:20,760 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 3: what should have been a monumental victory and celebration for 189 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 3: the cause of God, things do not get better for Elijah. 190 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 3: In fact, they get worse. Now, this is something we 191 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:34,560 Speaker 3: need to talk about. It's not uncommon in our lives 192 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:37,160 Speaker 3: that after great work for the Lord is done, there 193 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:41,560 Speaker 3: will be an enemy attack. Jesus was tempted after his 194 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 3: baptism by the devil, for example, and after great victories 195 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:50,319 Speaker 3: we sometimes face more battles and Satan the enemy is 196 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 3: always trying to tear down what God is doing. That's 197 00:12:53,920 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 3: why we see here in this passage Jezebel as an 198 00:12:57,440 --> 00:12:59,839 Speaker 3: instrument of the devil, trying to destroy what God was 199 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:04,000 Speaker 3: doing and does. God's prophet Elijah had a target on 200 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:08,079 Speaker 3: his back. So what did he do? He ran? He 201 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 3: ran far away, and finally, exhausted, he stopped to rest 202 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 3: under a broom tree, and in his desperation, he cried 203 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 3: out for God to take his life and end his suffering. 204 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 3: He's giving up. Elijah was at the end of his 205 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 3: rope and he felt like he could fight no more. 206 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:33,240 Speaker 3: He is physically exhausted, mentally undone, and spiritually depressed. I 207 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:37,640 Speaker 3: know in life sometimes we face difficulties and circumstances that 208 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 3: weigh us down and we become spiritually, emotionally and physically exhausted, 209 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:48,840 Speaker 3: even depressed. That's what happened to Elijah. But in the 210 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 3: story of Elijah we find how we can find rest 211 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 3: and restoration. God provides for Elijah. He always has, and 212 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 3: now he sends an angel to feed him. Elijah eats 213 00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 3: and then he sleeps. Then in First Kings nineteen verses 214 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:08,320 Speaker 3: seven and eight, we read these words and the angel 215 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:10,839 Speaker 3: of the Lord came again a second time and touched 216 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:13,560 Speaker 3: him and said, arise and eat, for the journey is 217 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 3: too great for you. And he arose and ate and 218 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 3: drank and went in the strength of that food forty 219 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:22,600 Speaker 3: days and forty nights to Horab, the mountain of God. 220 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 3: God was certainly not done with Elijah, and he would 221 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 3: give him strength to meet the responsibilities of his prophetic task. 222 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 3: So he sustains him with food for the long journey. 223 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 3: He renews him and restores him and takes him to 224 00:14:36,840 --> 00:14:40,280 Speaker 3: a mountain where God is about to speak to his man. 225 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 3: As Elijah camped in a cave on Mount Horeb, God 226 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 3: spoke to him, asking why he was there. Why are 227 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 3: you here, Elijah? And Elijah replies that he's the only one. 228 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 3: He thinks he is the only one who is truly 229 00:14:56,800 --> 00:14:59,720 Speaker 3: following God, that the people had rejected the Lord and 230 00:14:59,760 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 3: killed the prophets, and now his life is in danger. 231 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 3: It seemed to be just too much for Elijah, but 232 00:15:06,480 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 3: God tells Elijah to stand outside the cave and wait 233 00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 3: for him to speak. First, there came a great wind, 234 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 3: then an earthquake, and then fires in the valley below. 235 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 3: One would expect the thundering voice of the Almighty to 236 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:23,440 Speaker 3: boom loudly in these moments. But there was no voice, 237 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:27,440 Speaker 3: just the noise of winds and earthquakes and fire. Then 238 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 3: everything became very quiet, and in the stillness of that 239 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:36,520 Speaker 3: moment came a small voice. The Bible describes it as 240 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 3: a still small voice. The voice of God is speaking 241 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 3: now in a whisper, and of course when someone is whispering, 242 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 3: you must get very close to hear. While God spoke quietly, 243 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 3: the message could not be more clear. God gave Elijah 244 00:15:54,400 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 3: a mission again, and that was to annoint two kings 245 00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 3: in Syria and in Israel. He told him that war 246 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 3: was coming to Israel. But then he gave Elijah comfort 247 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 3: and a commission. Elijah was to anoint a new prophet, Elisha, 248 00:16:09,840 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 3: who would take Elijah's place and finish what the man 249 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:16,480 Speaker 3: of God had started. Finally, God assured this man that 250 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,800 Speaker 3: there would be a remnant in Israel which would not 251 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 3: bow down to bail seven thousand, who would stand for God. 252 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 3: So how did Elijah come out of his deep depression? 253 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:31,680 Speaker 3: How did God restore him? He gave him a new purpose. 254 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 3: Life must be lived on purpose, and when you have 255 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 3: a purpose for your life. You are strengthened to live it. 256 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 3: So Elijah departed just as God told him to do, 257 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 3: and found Elisha just as God had said he would. 258 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 3: Together these two prophets would witness the Lord's doing great 259 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 3: and mighty things. We'll hear about that the next time. 260 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 3: Dear God, we thank you that when we are at 261 00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 3: our lowest, when we are discouraged and depressed and even 262 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 3: feeling defeated, that you speak to us when we listen, 263 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,959 Speaker 3: when the enemy comes hard against us, that the battle 264 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:09,119 Speaker 3: is yours and that we can trust in you to 265 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:12,919 Speaker 3: give us victory. Thank You for your plan for our lives. 266 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:16,199 Speaker 3: Thank you for giving us a mission and a commission 267 00:17:16,240 --> 00:17:19,080 Speaker 3: with others to take the good news of the Gospel 268 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:21,919 Speaker 3: of Jesus Christ to the world. Thank you that you 269 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:25,439 Speaker 3: always find us when we're at our greatest need and 270 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:31,399 Speaker 3: bring us hope again. In Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you 271 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:34,760 Speaker 3: for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm 272 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:38,399 Speaker 3: pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage you 273 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 3: to download Theprey dot com app and always make Bible 274 00:17:42,320 --> 00:17:45,280 Speaker 3: reading and Bible study a priority in your life, along 275 00:17:45,320 --> 00:17:48,879 Speaker 3: with prayer. If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with 276 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 3: someone you love. Let someone know because by sharing this podcast, 277 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:56,520 Speaker 3: you can truly make a difference in someone's life. And 278 00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 3: if you want more resources from me, Jack Graham as 279 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:02,680 Speaker 3: to how you can grow in your Christian life, then 280 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 3: go to Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham dot org. 281 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 3: God bless you.