Elijah…

The story of Elijah has all the hallmarks of a blockbuster movie! After a little research, I found that a few years ago there was talk of a movie in the making, but I couldn’t find any recent updates on how it was progressing.

Elijah was a prophet who lived around 800 years before Christ. It was a challenging time. The people had turned away from God, under the influence of the King and Queen of the day. Elijah’s task was to redirect their focus back to God.

Here are just some of the things he got up to:

There was a drought for 3 ½ years.

Elijah stayed near a brook (until it dried up) and was fed meat and bread by ravens.

He stayed with a poor widow and her son for a while. She was just about to make her final loaf of bread using the last of her flour and oil when Elijah showed up. The jars of flour and oil, miraculously, didn’t run out until the drought ended.

The widow’s son died and through Elijah’s prayer and God’s power, he returned to life!

A ‘contest’ of sorts was conducted on Mount Carmel. God’s power was displayed when Elijah called down fire from heaven lighting the sacrifice that had been drenched in water. (Even the stones were burnt!)

As the drought broke Elijah outran King Ahab’s horses making it back to Jezreel in front of him!

You would think that with all these amazing feats under his belt, Elijah was secure and unshakable, but no… soon afterwards, he ran away and spiraled into despondency.

An angel comforted and encouraged him to keep going.

From the depths of his despair, feeling alone and viewing life from his hurting perspective, Elijah questioned God. God reassured him that he was not alone (a number of people had kept their focus on God) and, soon after, brought Elisha into Elijah’s life for him to mentor.

The last we hear of Elijah (until the New Testament that is) certainly outdoes anything Hollywood could possibly muster.

‘As they (Elijah and Elisha) were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.’ 2 Kings 2:11(NLT)

Elijah didn’t die! How’s that for the most amazing and spectacular entry into heaven… What an honour!

Overall, Elijah experienced extreme highs and lows in his lifetime as he trusted and served God… and God was with him all the way… guiding, protecting, encouraging and equipping him for every task.

Just as God was with Elijah, he is with us in all those ways too. He knows our highs and lows and is just a prayer away!

What would you like to share with him today?

Georgie