YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Romans 11:2-4 NKJV
2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
Chapter eleven is another chapter in my Bible with very few highlights. I mark in all my Bibles and make notes, but Romans eleven is a chapter that speaks more to Israel’s condition of trying to obtain righteousness by works. But here is the beautiful thing about God’s Word: it is alive and can speak to us on many different levels. As I was reading and rereading chapter eleven, an application stood out to me that I had never considered. It is the danger of being isolated and losing sight that there are many who believe as we do and many who love the Lord.
Paul is recounting how Elijah was complaining to the Lord that he was the only one left in Israel who was faithful to God. The story is found in 1 Kings 19. Elijah had just been a part of a major miracle that took place on Mount Carmel and the elimination of 800 false prophets. But Elijah received a death threat, ran for his life, and became discouraged. Now, he was in a cave and complaining to the Lord that Israel had torn down God’s altars, killed God’s prophets, and he was the only one who was faithful to God.
God answered Elijah’s complaint with an assignment to set up new leadership in Syria and Israel. Then God spoke to Elijah and reminded him that He had seven thousand people who were faithful to Him, not to Baal. Elijah, in a weak, discouraged moment, had a distorted perspective and God shed some light and truth on the situation.
APPLICATION
When we are discouraged, the most dangerous thing we can do spiritually is become isolated. Isolation can lead to discouragement. This is one of the reasons God has ordained church. When we face discouraging situations, there can be a tendency to withdraw from everyone. The problem with withdrawal is that it puts us in an echo chamber where we are getting no other counsel. We are doing as David said, taking counsel in our own soul. “How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily?” Psalm 13:2. When we are in a sorrowful state, we need more than counsel from our own soul. We need outside counsel, a different perspective.
One of the lies of the enemy is that we are the only ones trying to do anything for God or the only ones faithful to God, and no one understands. This can be particularly true if you are the only one in your household who is serving God. But you have another family. There are many of your brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing challenges and difficulties just as you are. You are not alone. Put yourself in a position where God can speak to you as He did to Elijah. Don’t look for amazing events but rather the still, small voice of His word and His Spirit. Don’t stay in the cave of isolation. Come out and take part in what God is doing. You are not alone.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that You never leave or forsake me. Thank You for the body of Christ, my family in the Lord. And thank You that I am not done yet. There is more to do for You.