Everyday Miracles: 20 Day Journey With Elijah And Elisha预览

When you’ve heard God’s quiet whisper, you become emboldened in the day of battle. 

Ahaziah, wicked King Ahab’s son, fell through the lattice in his upper chamber. Instead of trusting in the living God to provide for him and heal him, Ahaziah wanted his fortune told. He sent messengers to Baal-zebub to ask the “lord of the flies” whether the fall would lead to the king’s death or not. 

Ahaziah’s affection for Baal-zebub and rejection of God did not go unnoticed by the Lord. God sent Elijah to intercept the messengers of Ahaziah. The prophet queried the messengers: “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub?” (2 Kings 1:3, ESV). Elijah sent them back to their idol-thirsty king with a word from the Lord: Ahaziah indeed would not recover from his fall. 

So, the king sent fifty soldiers to confront Elijah. The soldiers saw Elijah on a hilltop and mocked the man of God. Not long before, Elijah had run in fear of one woman’s persecution. Jezebel’s taunts had dragged the prophet down into despair and isolation. But this time around Elijah knew no fear. Instead, the man of God stood his ground and called down fire upon the king’s mocking men. 

What had changed? 

Elijah had heard the still, small voice of God. He was not the same prophet who had fled from Jezebel and later hid in a cave. Elijah met with God at Horeb. He heard the gentle whisper of the Lord. Intimacy with God changes you.

Deeper intimacy with God doesn’t just warm you heart; it emboldens your spirit. Growing quiet and hearing from God doesn’t just calm your soul; it awakens your courage. 

The new Elijah could no longer be intimidated. 

Perhaps the enemy is bringing threats and accusations against you during this season; you can take confidence in Christ. You aren’t who you once were. Like Elijah who sat firm on his mountaintop, the Gospel will silence the voices of fear and keep your spirit lifted. The whisper of God will make you strong. And that’s the Gospel!

Questions for Reflection

1) Think of a time when you experienced the closeness of God – a time when, like Elijah, you heard God’s still, small voice. How did that closeness to God strengthen you? 

2) Elijah was just as human as you are (see James 5). He knew what it was to be afraid. He experienced despair. But he grew. How have you grown in recent years? Write down several ways that you’ve grown spiritually. 

3) Elijah was seated on a hilltop when the wicked king’s soldier taunted him and implored him to come down. But Elijah stayed on his hilltop. What “lower voices” mock you and urge you to “come down”? How does the Gospel empower you to pay no attention to the dark, mocking voices below? Journal your thoughts.

Prayer for the Day

Lord, by your grace, I’m growing. Help me grow more today. Teach me how to lean into your still, small voice so that, from ever-deepening intimacy with you I can stand resolute in the day of trial. When the mocking voices rise from the cellar of my thought life or from the dark valley of temptation, remind me of who I am in Christ. Strengthen me for the day of battle. Yours is in the victory and I am in you. Grant me grace this day to listen to you and reject every competing voice. I pray in Jesus’ name, AMEN