15 The Lord said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus’. 1 Kings 19
The record of Elijah’s encounter with God is brief, but once he came out of the cave God was able to get him back on the right path again. God pointed Elijah towards the future and away from the past and the threats he had received. Maybe this is a time for some of us to become re-envisioned, no matter what life has thrown at us. So long as we’re on this earth God has things for us to do and they may be far more significant than we know.
20 NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3
We shouldn’t limit God’s power and plans for our lives, He made us and He knows what He can do through us – if we’ll allow Him.
In the case of Elijah God gave him a threefold task. The prophet who was beaten down was the very one God was sending to anoint two future kings and the man who would succeed him as Israel’s national prophet. It’s also noteworthy that the first of those kings was in a desert. God knows where to find those He’s chosen, whether in the cave or in the desert. Some of us may be in such places right now, but we don’t have to stay there. When we hear and answer the Call of God, He puts our feet on firm Ground once more.
15 The Lord said to him, ‘Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 1 Kings 19
God sent Elijah back to face and eventually see the destruction of the very things that had undone him. He was to raise up three leaders and also to realise that seven thousand others stood along with him for God.
17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.’
When we accept and embrace God’s plans we will walk in victory. Elijah crumbled under pressure, as did the apostles, but God raised them up again and He’s doing the same now. Hallelujah
God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.