Elijah's single-minded commitment to God shocks and challenges us. He was sent to confront, not comfort, and he spoke God's words to a king who often rejected his message just because he brought it. Elijah chose to carry out his ministry for God alone and paid for that decision by experiencing isolation from others who were also faithful to God.

God accomplished amazing miracles through Elijah. We would do well to focus on the relationship God and Elijah shared. All that happened in Elijah's life began with the same miracle that is available to us -- he responded to the miracle of being able to know God. For example, after God worked an overwhelming miracle through Elijah in defeating the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel retaliated by threatening Elijah's life. And Elijah ran. He felt afraid, depressed, and abandoned. Despite God's provision of food and shelter in the desert, Elijah wanted to die. So God presented Elijah with an "audio-visual display" and a message he needed to hear. Elijah witnessed a windstorm, an earthquake, and fire. But the Lord was not in any of those powerful things. Instead, God displayed his presence in a gentle whisper.

Elijah, like us, struggled with his feelings even after this comforting message from God. So God confronted Elijah's emotions and commanded action. He told Elijah what to do next and informed him that part of his loneliness was based on ignorance: 7,000 others in Israel were still faithful to God. Today, God often speaks through the gentle and obvious rather than the spectacular and unusual. God has work for Gentle Flame Evangelistic Association to do even when we feel fear and failure.

Although we might wish to do amazing miracles for God, we instead focus on developing a relationship with him. The real miracle of Elijah's life was his very personal relationship with God. And that miracle is available to us. God flashed fire from heaven for Elijah, and he will help us accomplish what he commands us to do. The proof may not be as dramatic in our lives as in Elijah's, but God will make resources available to us in creative ways to accomplish his purposes. And God always has more resources and people than we know about. He will give us the wisdom to raise a family, the courage to take a stand for truth, or the means to provide help for someone in need. Like Elijah, we can have faith that whatever God commands us to do, he will provide what we need to carry it through.

"O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.' Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench" (1 kings 18:36-38)

The Miracle of Our Ministry

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.   2 Corinthians 4:6 As new covenant servants, we proclaim "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."  While holding forth this magnificent message, we earnestly pray that God will prepare darkened hearts to embrace the redeeming light of His grace. Each person who responds will experience a miracle more distinct than when light first shined into the darkness of creation. 2 Corinthians 4:4 On the first day of creation, the earth was in darkness. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep." The Lord spoke light into existence in that darkness. "Then God said, 'Let there be light;' and there was light." By the word of His mouth, He caused light to shine where there had been none. What a majestic miracle! Genesis 1:3; Genesis 1:1-2 When Jesus came to this world, light was penetrating darkness. "The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned" (). When the light of the gospel of grace is proclaimed, it is shining upon spiritually darkened hearts. "Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (). When darkened hearts respond to that light, they are given new life. "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12; Romans 1:21; Matthew 4:16 This is what has happened to those of us who follow Christ. The God of creation, who spoke forth physical light into physical darkness, has spoken forth spiritual light into our spiritual darkness. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts." This light that was shining through the gospel. This good news of God's grace painted a portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ. In that portrait of words, we saw the glory of God and His great salvation. We saw by faith "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Now, we are called to proclaim this gospel of grace that others also may come out of darkness into His splendid light. "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9 Dear Lord of light, we praise You for bringing us out of darkness into Your gracious light. Grant us grace to proclaim Your excellencies. Shine Your light into the hearts of those we hope to reach. Grant them the miracle of new birth, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Gentle Flame Evangelistic Association is a nonprofit Christian organization. We provide encouragement and resources for the furtherance of the gospel, planting of churches, and preparation of ministers. Our purpose is to serve our Lord Jesus Christ in the fulfillment of the Great Commission entrusted to the Church. 

Gentle Flame Evangelistic Association is a California-based ministry organized pursuant to the provisions of the IRS Code 501(c)(3) and the California Revenue Tax Code Sec. 23701d. Contributions and donations to Gentle Flame Evangelistic Association are income tax deductible to the full extent of the law.