Read 1 Kings 22:1-28

Hate for the Truth

When Ahab and Jehoshaphat joined forces to battle at Ramoth Gilead, Ahab gathered his prophets and asked if they should proceed. The prophets answered, “Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king” (1 Kings 22:6).

The text does not say that these were prophets of God, nor does the term “Lord” in the verse refer to Jehovah. It was a word that could have just as easily referred to a false god such as Baal, and knowing Ahab’s history, is it really a stretch to believe these were false prophets of a false god? Add to that Jehoshaphat’s hesitance to accept their prophecy, saying, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?” (1 Kings 22:7). In this instance, the word “Lord” does refer specifically to Jehovah.

Ahab’s response is especially telling. “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:8). How interesting that Ahab would despise one who speaks the truth and would rather listen to the lies that would lead to his destruction!

Soldiers of the cross today will face opposition from folks who want to be told they are fine as they are. They want to remain comfortable in their sin. They are self-serving individuals who do not want to submit to the authority of God’s Word.

Just as Elijah was called a “troubler of Israel” (1 Kings 18:17) and an “enemy” of the king (1 Kings 21:20), and Micaiah was hated for his truthful prophecy, so too faithful proclaimers of truth today will be considered troublemakers.

The purpose of teaching the truth is to lead others to repentance, to lead them to discipleship. We are tasked with making disciples for Jesus, but that does not end with baptism. We must continue “teaching them to observe all things” commanded by the Lord (Matthew 28:19-20). In doing so, we will face resistance to the truth. Some will turn away from God, refusing to give up their sins.

Never compromise. Never stop teaching the truth. Understand that you will face rejection and some will even hate you. “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).

Read 1 Kings 19:11-21

The Work Continues

Elijah was discouraged by his perceived lack of support and fled from the threat of Jezebel. He believed he was the only one faithful to God’s Word, but God showed him that he should not have run. He asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13). Elijah was not where he was supposed to be, or where God wanted him to be; there was still work to be done, and in that work, the prophet would be supported by and protected by the Almighty.

Elijah explained his thought process, saying, “I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:14). But God told the prophet, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18). God did not reprimand His prophet harshly but encouraged him through the knowledge that there were others like him.

Since there were still faithful servants, God gave Elijah certain tasks to complete. These tasks would help get Elijah out of his depressed state, giving him real purposeful work to complete. When we find ourselves discouraged in our work, we should take a close look at its purpose and how fulfilling that purpose will help God’s cause. Elijah was told to anoint Hazael as king over Syria and Jehu as king over Israel. God also told him to anoint Elisha as the prophet to follow him.

Do you remember in school when a teacher would give you “busy work” to fill time? There was no real point to the work. This is not what God assigned to Elijah. Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha all had important work to do.

Elijah’s focus was no longer on his perceived failures against Ahab and Jezebel, but on the successes that lay before him in God’s kingdom. Was this not the apostle Paul’s focus as well? “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Read 1 Kings 19:1-10

Discouragement

Even in the life of a faithful child of God, there will be times when everything seems hopeless. It appears as if no one around you is doing what they ought, and you are fighting a battle you can never win. No matter which direction you turn, you will lose. There is no point in even trying!

The prophet Elijah was discouraged following the defeat of the prophets of Baal. Ahab told his wife Jezebel what happened, and she sent word to Elijah that she would have him killed. “And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a room tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!’” (1 Kings 19:3-4).

Have you ever been so discouraged in your life that you prayed for death? Elijah saw himself as a failure. Despite proving the power of God and defeating the idolatrous prophets of Baal, Elijah continued to stand alone. No one wanted to join him in serving the true God of heaven. “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:10).

There will be times in life that you will feel alone in doing what is right in the sight of God. Don’t let that discouragement derail you from doing the will of God! Keep in mind that even if you stand alone with God, you are still on the winning side. God cannot be defeated.

Consider the words of Paul the apostle: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?…Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:31-32, 37).

You will get discouraged. Don’t give up. Stand with God through it.

Read 1 Kings 18:19-40

God is Always There for the Faithful

When Elijah challenged Ahab and his prophets of Baal, he knew that God would show Himself powerful. Elijah knew that Baal was the product of man’s imagination, whereas man is the creation of God. Baal does not really exist.

The scene must have been something to behold. Elijah sarcastically said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27). Can you imagine Deity going on vacation?

The true God of heaven is always there for His children. He is never too busy for your prayers! Day or night, winter or summer, in good times or bad times, God wants to hear the desires of your heart. “Seeing then that we have a High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all pointed tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Jesus told His disciples just before His ascension, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). We should never be afraid to do what the Lord has commanded!

We have a promise from God that Baal could never make to his followers. The Hebrews writer said, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).

The creations of man can never provide anything for man, but the Creator of man can (and will) bless His creation. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).