1 Kings 19
18Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.
Elijah, like many great men of the Bible, had moments of greatness and moments that were not so great. One minute he was a brave warrior and prophet of the Lord and the next minute he was fearful. In 1 Kings 18 Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal, a false god, then slaughters them after they failed to win the challenge. Early in chapter 19, Ahab reports this to Jezebel and she threatens Elijah. This sends him into hiding. Verse 3 reads, “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.”
After being a fearless and victorious warrior, Elijah became fearful and ran from Jezebel. His fear and apprehension were signs of his faith wavering. This pattern is repeated by more than just Biblical figures. Many of us have our moments of greatness when we walk in faith and witness the power of God at work in our lives. We follow this with seasons of doubt, fear and hesitation. Then comes guilt. Then, sometimes, restoration and we’re back on mission.
Elijah retreated to the mountains and had an encounter with God. God asked him on two occasions, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah explained his fear to the Lord. He felt like he was the only one that was on mission and his life was threatened because of his faithfulness to God. God’s answer, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
Did you ever think you were the only one that gets it? Is everyone else slacking? Are you the only one making the sacrifices while everyone else simply plays church but does nothing?
This is pure pride and arrogance. God answered Elijah that there was a remnant of 7,000. Likewise, when you feel you are the only one that gets it, there are 7,000 others that feel the same way.
What is at the root of these feelings? It was already mentioned that it involves pride and arrogance. It also is fueled by fear. We want to retreat to where we were when we comfortable. We want to get back into the boat. We are thinking about how much we are doing and wondering what other people are doing.
Christianity is not a competitive sport. If you feel compelled to compare yourself to others, compare yourself to Christ. When you measure up to what He did, then you have a right to complain about the lack of effort by others.
Focus on your relationship with Jesus and what He wants you to do. There just might be a remnant of 7,000 or more. God might even introduce you to an Elisha that needs your mentoring in the faith.
