“Then the LORD told him, ‘Go back the same way you came…anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, then anoint Elisha son of Zaphat…to replace you as my prophet.’”
1 Kings 19:15-16
When God asked Elijah what he was doing, his answer was full of complaints—the people have been unfaithful, I am the ONLY ONE serving the LORD, and now they are trying to kill me!
The first time God listened to Elijah’s woe is me speech, GOD did something—He gave Elijah a fresh revelation of Himself. However, when Elijah rehearsed that same pity party a second time, God told ELIJAH to do something. God had an assignment for him that would change his perception from pity to privilege: “Go anoint two kings and a prophet!” The assumption of being the only one could no longer fuel his pity party; God said there were 7,000 others who were still His faithful servants!
God wanted Elijah to see that his life had purpose. He had been given power to pass on to others. But I wonder how his story would have ended if Elijah had refused to DO what God asked. What if he had chosen to continue in his pity party? Not only would he have messed up his own life, but what about the lives of those he was to touch?
Our Creator God knows how to heal our despondent souls, and He will always do HIS part to help us. But we must do OUR part…
Leave our pity party and go help someone else!
