prophets and kings-第27章
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Israel。
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As he prayed； his faith reached out and grasped the promises of Heaven； and he persevered in prayer until his petitions were answered。 He did not wait for the full evidence that God had heard him； but was willing to venture all on the slightest token of divine favor。 And yet what he was enabled to do under God； all may do in their sphere of activity in God's service； for of the prophet from the mountains of Gilead it is written： 〃Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are； and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain： and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months。〃 James 5：17。
Faith such as this is needed in the world todayfaith that will lay hold on the promises of God's word and refuse to let go until Heaven hears。 Faith such as this connects us closely with Heaven； and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness。 Through faith God's children have 〃subdued kingdoms； wrought righteousness； obtained promises； stopped the mouths of lions； quenched the violence of fire； escaped the edge of the sword； out of weakness were made strong； waxed valiant in fight； turned to flight the armies of the aliens。〃 Hebrews 11：33； 34。 And through faith we today are to reach the heights of God's purpose for us。 〃If thou canst believe； all things are possible to him that believeth。〃 Mark 9：23。
Faith is an essential element of prevailing prayer。 〃He that cometh to God must believe that He is； and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him。〃 〃If we ask anything according to His will； He heareth us： and if we know that He hear us； whatsoever we ask； we know
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that we have the petitions that we desired of Him。〃 Hebrews 11：6； 1 John 5：14； 15。 With the persevering faith of Jacob； with the unyielding persistence of Elijah； we may present our petitions to the Father； claiming all that He has promised。 The honor of His throne is staked for the fulfillment of His word。
The shades of night were gathering about Mount Carmel as Ahab prepared for the descent。 〃It came to pass in the meanwhile； that the heaven was black with clouds and wind； and there was a great rain。 And Ahab rode； and went to Jezreel。〃 As he journeyed toward the royal city through the darkness and the blinding rain； Ahab was unable to see his way before him。 Elijah； who； as the prophet of God； had that day humiliated Ahab before his subjects and slain his idolatrous priests； still acknowledged him as Israel's king； and now； as an act of homage； and strengthened by the power of God； he ran before the royal chariot； guiding the king to the entrance of the city。
In this gracious act of God's messenger shown to a wicked king is a lesson for all who claim to be servants of God； but who are exalted in their own estimation。 There are those who feel above performing duties that to them appear menial。 They hesitate to perform even needful service； fearing that they will be found doing the work of a servant。 These have much to learn from the example of Elijah。 By his word the treasures of heaven had been for three years withheld from the earth； he had been signally honored of God as； in answer to his prayer on Carmel； fire had flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice； his
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hand had executed the judgment of God in slaying the idolatrous prophets； his petition for rain had been granted。 And yet； after the signal triumphs with which God had been pleased to honor his public ministry； he was willing to perform the service of a menial。
At the gate of Jezreel； Elijah and Ahab separated。 The prophet； choosing to remain outside the walls； wrapped himself in his mantle； and lay down upon the bare earth to sleep。 The king； passing within； soon reached the shelter of his palace and there related to his wife the wonderful events of the day and the marvelous revelation of divine power that had proved to Israel that Jehovah is the true God and Elijah His chosen messenger。 As Ahab told the queen of the slaying of the idolatrous prophets； Jezebel； hardened and impenitent； became infuriated。 She refused to recognize in the events on Carmel the overruling providence of God； and； still defiant； she boldly declared that Elijah should die。
That night a messenger aroused the weary prophet and delivered to him the word of Jezebel： 〃So let the gods do to me； and more also； if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time。〃
It would seem that after showing courage so undaunted； after triumphing so completely over king and priests and people； Elijah could never afterward have given way to despondency nor been awed into timidity。 But he who had been blessed with so many evidences of God's loving care was not above the frailties of mankind； and in this dark hour his faith and courage forsook him。 Bewildered； he
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started from his slumber。 The rain was pouring from the heavens； and darkness was on every side。 Forgetting that three years before； God had directed his course to a place of refuge from the hatred of Jezebel and the search of Ahab； the prophet now fled for his life。 Reaching Beersheba； he 〃left his servant there。 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness。〃
Elijah should not have fled from his post of duty。 He should have met the threat of Jezebel with an appeal for protection to the One who had commissioned him to vindicate the honor of Jehovah。 He should have told the messenger that the God in whom he trusted would protect him against the hatred of the queen。 Only a few hours had passed since he had witnessed a wonderful manifestation of divine power； and this should have given him assurance that he would not now be forsaken。 Had he remained where he was； had he made God his refuge and strength； standing steadfast for the truth； he would have been shielded from harm。 The Lord would have given him another signal victory by sending His judgments on Jezebel； and the impression made on the king and the people would have wrought a great reformation。
Elijah had expected much from the miracle wrought on Carmel。 He had hoped that after this display of God's power； Jezebel would no longer have influence over the mind of Ahab； and that there would be a speedy reform throughout Israel。 All day on Carmel's height he had toiled without food。 Yet when he guided the chariot of Ahab to the gate of Jezreel； his courage was strong； despite the physical strain under which he had labored。
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But a reaction such as frequently follows high faith and glorious success was pressing upon Elijah。 He feared that the reformation begun on Carmel might not be lasting； and depression seized him。 He had been exalted to Pisgah's top； now he was in the valley。 While under the inspiration of the Almighty； he had stood the severest trial of faith； but in this time of discouragement； with Jezebel's threat
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sounding in his ears； and Satan still apparently prevailing through the plotting of this wicked woman； he lost his hold on God。 He had been exalted above measure； and the reaction was tremendous。 Forgetting God； Elijah fled on and on； until he found himself in a dreary waste； alone。 Utterly wearied； he sat down to rest under a juniper tree。 And sitting there； he requested for himself that he might die。 〃It is enough； now； O Lord；〃 he said； 〃take away my life； for I am not better than my fathers。〃 A fugitive； far from the dwelling places of men； his spirits crushed by bitter disappointment； he desired never again to look upon the face of man。 At last； utterly exhausted； he fell asleep。
Into the experience of all there come times of keen disappointment and utter discouragementdays when sorrow is the portion； and it is hard to believe that God is still the kind benefactor of His earthborn children； days when troubles harass the soul； till death seems preferable to life。 It is then that many lose their hold on God and are brought into the slavery of doubt； the bondage of unbelief。 Could we at such times discern with spiritual insight the meaning of God's prov
