When Elijah appeared lonely or deserted, he said in 1 Kings 18: 22, I , even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets number four hundred fifty. God’s prophets had either been obliterated savagely or that they had absconded and hidden away from persecution. Elijah appeared to be the only committed prophet left to defend the faith before his adversaries the Baal worshippers.
From the biblical account, it appears there were two plausible causes of Elijah’s statement. He was either complaining that his compatriots had deserted him to face death alone or that his statement was a challenge to his adversaries that he alone was able to prove his God as superior to Baal and its worshippers. We pray the Holy Spirit to guide us in our discussions.
Without challenges faith cannot be exercised. We read from James 1: 2-4, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. What did Elijah know about God to cause him to make this statement?
God does not work with numbers
Biblically, God does not operate based on the quantum of people but by his own authority. God does not need us, we need him to succeed. Our deserting him does not stall his plans and purpose. Daniel 4: 35 says all the inhabitants of the earth – are accounted as nothing, and he does what he wills with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can stay his hand or say to him, “What are you doing?” God could work with only Elijah for his purpose.
Jesus said in Matthew 3: 9 God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. We are not indispensable for God’s business. God only engages us so he would lift us up hence numbers are not of material relevance to God. Elijah had seen enough of God and could boldly defend his course alone. So whilst others took to their heels, Elijah stood firm to glorify God in the task which God had given him.
We complain when God’s work is left on our shoulders to perform alone. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9: 7, God loves a cheerful giver. Cheerful giving is not limited to money but our substance, heart, soul, mind, strength, energy and our sacrifices for God. The numbers do not matter as his purpose. Are we cheerful in doing God’s work without counting who are involved? We must not complain about God’s work when we are left to shoulder it all alone? God is always in charge and knows those committed to him.
God does not work with fearful men
When the Israelites faced the Medianites in battle, the LORD said to Gideon in Judges 7: 1-6, “The troops with you are too many for me to give the Midianites to their hand. Israel will only take the credit away from me, saying, ‘My own hand has delivered me.’ So, twenty-two thousand returned, and ten thousand remained. God said in verse three,… “Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home.”
In a screening for bravery, God allowed only those who lapped the water with their tongues, as a dog lapped numbering three hundred to join the battle. The lapping demanded focus on their commander and not on the enemy but the watchful eye and capacity of their commander in battle God to weather any danger. God wants us to focus on his instructions and not on the enemy.
Psalms 91: 1-2 says you who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say of the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” Elijah was not disturbed under the shadow of God just as Gideon also was. Isaiah 54: 17 says no weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD.
Paul also said in Philippians 4: 13, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Elijah traced his strength to God, what about us? Revelation 12: 11 says they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death. Elijah was a bold prophet of God. Are we bold to stand for the Lord?
Job 36: 7 says he does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous. David also said in Psalms 34: 15 the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his eyes are open to their cry. (See 1 Peter 3: 12) God has not given a spirit of fear or timidity. We do not have to fear in so far as the battle is his and he is with us. All we must do is to focus on him in trust and obedience however foolish we think his instructions are.
Jesus is the same as his word therefore his word is capable of doing what we expect of him. John 1: 1 says in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. How do we treat the word of God? We are not alone. The word of God who is God is with us. If the burden becomes too heavy to carry, Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Let us call Jesus when we are left alone and he will answer. Jesus also said in Hebrews 13: 5, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, you have never left us alone in spite of what we see with our eyes or imagine in our minds and thoughts. Your word of life has always been present with us and we are grateful that your word is you and you are the word. Therefore help us to refrain from focusing on numbers rather than on your word by which we are emboldened to stand for you in all circumstances. Let your word be our eternal strength in your holy name, Amen!!
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