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