Mountaintops and Valleys

1 Kings 19:1-21, 2 Kings 2:1-18

“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with a sword. So Jezebel sent a message to Elijah to say, ‘May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.’”  1 Kings 19:1

After the face off on Mt. Carmel, Elijah had the prophets of Baal put to death. Then God caused the rain to fall on Israel again.

Elijah had just experienced a tremendous victory on Mt. Carmel. He had courageously faced 850 prophets of the false gods and won. But we are often most vulnerable to Satan’s  attacks after we have had a great victory.

When Elijah received the threatening message from Jezebel, he ran for his life. He told God he had had enough, to take his life. Then he traveled to Horeb, a journey of 40 days, and spent the night in a cave. God came to Elijah and asked him, “What are you doing here?” Elijah was having a pity party. He told God, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 1 Kings 19:14 God’s prophet was frightened, discouraged, and ready to resign. God assured Elijah that he was not alone. God was with him, and there were still 7,000 in Israel who had not worshiped Baal. When we are discouraged we can be sure that God is with us as well.

God sent Elijah back to Israel with an assignment. He was to anoint two kings and then anoint Elisha to be his successor. When God’s people die, God’s work goes on. God raises others up to step into their shoes. Nobody is indispensable. We have only our lifetime to serve God, and surely we want to do all we can for Him in the time He allots us.

Elijah found Elisha and threw his cloak over him as a signal that Elisha was to be the next prophet for Israel. From that time on, Elisha became Elijah’s attendant, an apprentice prophet.

When the time came for Elijah to leave this earth, God had a special plan for him. He and Elisha knew that God planned to take Elijah that day, and Elisha stayed close by Elijah’s side. When the two men came to the Jordan River, Elijah took off his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the river with it. The river parted, and the two men walked across on dry ground. Suddenly chariots of fire with horses of fire came down from heaven and separated the two men. Then Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind. He went so fast he dropped his cloak. Elisha picked it up and walked back to the Jordan River. He struck it with Elijah’s cloak, and it parted for him just like it had for Elijah. God had passed Elijah’s ministry to Elisha.

Had God chosen someone for you to prepare to walk in your footsteps? Or has He chosen you to walk in someone’s footsteps and become prepared to step into their shoes?

Father, may I serve You well as long as I live. May I make footsteps for others to follow that will lead them to You. Amen.