“He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.’” – 1 Kings 19:14
It can be easy to start feeling overwhelmed by the darkness and evil that fills the world around us. Headlines scream the same bad news Elijah had come to believe in this verse. “Everyone has forsaken God.” “The church is dead.” “The battle for the nation’s soul has been lost.” “There’s only wickedness and evil at work in the world.” “Faith is pointless.”
This is one way the devil discourages and sidelines God’s people. The prophet Elijah had just been part of a massive triumph. He’d seen God’s miraculous power with his own eyes. And yet, he was scared for his life and felt completely alone in the world. He believed the lie that he was the last faithful person in Israel. But it wasn’t true. It’s never true.
God had preserved thousands who had never betrayed Him to worship the false god Baal. Elijah wasn’t alone. God was with him and God’s people had been protected and preserved. The same is true today. Remember this whenever you begin to feel all alone in the world. If Jesus is your Lord, then you definitely aren’t alone. He is always in you and with you. There are many whom He has protected and preserved. Don’t let the lies of the devil convince you otherwise. Don’t give into the paralyzing despair of imagining it’s just you against the world.
Jesus is still Lord and He sits on His throne. God is still sovereign over all creation. His will is going to be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Fear not! Take courage and find strength in the people of God! #FollowJesus