Elijah: A Beacon of Faith and Confidence

 

Summary

In our journey through the Old Testament, we have encountered men of faith whose lives offer us profound lessons. Tonight, we delve into the life of Elijah, a man whose confidence in God's provision serves as a beacon for us all. Elijah's story is a testament to the power of God's sustenance and protection, even in the face of adversity.

Elijah's confidence was first demonstrated during a severe drought. He trusted in God's word that ravens would feed him by the brook Cherith, and he remained there until the brook dried up. His faith did not waver; he knew God would provide, and indeed, he drank from the diminishing brook until it was no more, a testament to his unwavering trust in God's promise.

Elijah's faith was further exemplified when he resurrected the widow's son. He stretched himself upon the boy and cried out to God, who heard his plea and returned life to the child. This miracle was not just a display of God's power but also a reflection of Elijah's confidence in God's will and his role as God's instrument.

The pinnacle of Elijah's demonstration of faith occurred at Mount Carmel, where he challenged the prophets of Baal and Asherah. With unshakable confidence, he called upon God to send fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice on the altar. Despite the prophets' frantic pleas to their gods, it was Elijah's God who answered with fire, affirming His sovereignty and Elijah's faith.

However, Elijah was not without his moments of fear and exhaustion. After his victory at Mount Carmel, he fled from Jezebel's threats, feeling alone and weary. Yet, even in his despair, God provided sustenance and guidance, encouraging Elijah to continue his mission. This shows us that even the mightiest of God's servants can experience moments of doubt, but God's provision remains steadfast.

Elijah's story culminates in the spirit of Elijah, which later manifested in John the Baptist, preparing the way for Christ. This spirit is characterized by confidence in God's provision, the power to overcome adversity, and the courage to act upon God's commands.

As we reflect on Elijah's life, we are called to act like men of God—men of confidence, conviction, and character. We must reject the arrogance that suggests we can handle life's challenges alone and instead embrace the confidence that comes from knowing God is with us. We must be unapologetic in our faith, willing to have tough conversations, and lead our families and communities with the truth of God's word.

Key Takeaways:

- Elijah's unwavering trust in God's provision, even as the brook Cherith dried up, teaches us that our faith should not be contingent on our circumstances. God's faithfulness is constant, and our reliance on Him should be as well. [09:16]

- The resurrection of the widow's son through Elijah's prayer is a powerful reminder that God's purposes can be fulfilled through us when we act in faith. We must be willing to be conduits of God's miraculous power, believing that He can do the impossible. [11:01]

- The confrontation at Mount Carmel illustrates the importance of public faith. Elijah did not shy away from demonstrating God's power before the people. We too must be ready to stand for God's truth openly, even when faced with opposition or ridicule. [12:16]

- Elijah's fear after his victory shows that even the strongest believers can experience moments of weakness. It is in these times that we must remember God's past faithfulness and draw strength from His continued presence and provision. [16:13]

- The spirit of Elijah, as seen in John the Baptist, is a call to prepare the way for the Lord in our own lives and in the world around us. We must embody the confidence, boldness, and unwavering commitment to God's mission that characterized Elijah's life. [08:43]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Life and Faith of Elijah

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Kings 18:17-19 - "When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, 'Is it you, you troubler of Israel?' And he answered, 'I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.'"
2. 1 Kings 17:4-5 - "You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there. So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan."
3. 1 Kings 17:21-22 - "Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, 'O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again.' And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Elijah's response to Ahab when accused of troubling Israel? (1 Kings 18:17-19)
2. How did God provide for Elijah during the drought by the brook Cherith? (1 Kings 17:4-5)
3. Describe the miracle Elijah performed for the widow's son. (1 Kings 17:21-22)
4. What was the significance of the confrontation at Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal and Asherah? [12:16]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Elijah's unwavering trust in God's provision during the drought challenge our own faith in difficult circumstances? (1 Kings 17:4-5)
2. What does the resurrection of the widow's son reveal about Elijah's confidence in God's power and purpose? (1 Kings 17:21-22)
3. In what ways does the confrontation at Mount Carmel illustrate the importance of public faith and standing for God's truth? [12:16]
4. How does Elijah's fear and exhaustion after his victory at Mount Carmel reflect the human side of even the strongest believers? [16:13]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a challenging situation. How did you respond, and how might Elijah's trust in God's provision inspire you to respond differently in the future? [09:16]
2. Have you ever felt called to act in faith, like Elijah did when he prayed for the widow's son? What steps can you take to be more open to being a conduit of God's miraculous power? [11:01]
3. Think about a situation where you need to stand for God's truth publicly. What fears or concerns hold you back, and how can you overcome them with the confidence Elijah displayed at Mount Carmel? [12:16]
4. Elijah experienced fear and exhaustion after his victory. How do you handle moments of doubt and weariness in your faith journey? What can you do to remember God's past faithfulness and draw strength from it? [16:13]
5. The spirit of Elijah was seen in John the Baptist, preparing the way for Christ. How can you embody the confidence, boldness, and commitment to God's mission in your own life? [08:43]
6. Elijah's story calls us to reject arrogance and embrace confidence in God. Identify an area in your life where you might be relying too much on your own strength. How can you shift your reliance to God? [06:06]
7. How can you lead your family or community with the truth of God's word, as Elijah did, even when it requires having tough conversations? What specific steps can you take this week to start this process? [22:20]

This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the life of Elijah, drawing lessons from his unwavering faith, his moments of doubt, and his ultimate reliance on God's provision. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Beyond Circumstances
Faith is not a fair-weather friend, appearing only when the skies are clear and the path is smooth. True faith, the kind that Elijah exemplified, is a steadfast companion that walks alongside us even as the brook dries and the land withers. It is the assurance that even when resources seem scarce and the future uncertain, one's reliance on the Divine does not waver. Elijah's trust in God during the drought at the brook Cherith is a vivid illustration of this principle. He drank from the brook until it could offer no more, a powerful image of faith that does not falter when the tangible signs of provision fade. This unwavering trust is a call to believe in God's faithfulness as constant, regardless of the changing tides of our circumstances. [09:16]

"And the word of the Lord came to him: 'Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.' So he went and did according to the word of the Lord." (1 Kings 17:2-5a ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate trust in God's provision in a current situation where the outcome is uncertain?

Day 2: Conduits of the Miraculous
The miraculous is not a relic of the past, confined to the pages of ancient texts, but a present possibility when faith intersects with divine will. The resurrection of the widow's son through Elijah's fervent prayer is a testament to this truth. It is a narrative that invites believers to consider themselves as vessels through which the extraordinary can flow. This story encourages the faithful to stretch beyond the limits of human possibility and to trust in the power of God to breathe life into situations that appear beyond hope. It is a reminder that when one acts in faith, aligning with the purposes of the Almighty, the impossible can manifest in reality. [11:01]

"Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, 'O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again.' And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived." (1 Kings 17:21-22 ESV)

Reflection: What impossible situation in your life needs a touch of God's miraculous power, and how can you actively show faith in this area?

Day 3: Boldness in Public Faith
Faith that whispers in the shadows but falls silent in the light of day is not the faith that Elijah modeled. At Mount Carmel, he demonstrated a boldness that did not shrink back but stood firm in the public eye, unashamed of the God he served. This act of public faith was a declaration that the Almighty is not a deity to be hidden away but to be proclaimed with courage. It challenges believers to not only hold their faith close to their hearts but to also express it openly, especially in the face of opposition or ridicule. The confrontation at Mount Carmel serves as a clarion call to stand for truth and to display one's faith with conviction for all to see. [12:16]

"And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, 'O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.'" (1 Kings 18:36 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you more openly demonstrate your faith in your daily life, especially in environments where it might be challenged?

Day 4: Strength in Vulnerability
Even the mightiest trees bend in the storm, and so it is with the faithful. Elijah's fear and exhaustion after his victory at Mount Carmel reveal that strength is not the absence of weakness but the presence of divine support in times of vulnerability. This moment in Elijah's life is a poignant reminder that even in the depths of despair, one is never truly alone. It is an invitation to remember past instances of God's faithfulness and to draw strength from the assurance of His continued presence. The journey of faith includes moments of doubt, but these are the very times when God's provision can shine most brightly, guiding and sustaining the weary traveler. [16:13]

"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.'" (1 Kings 19:4 ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a time when God's faithfulness helped you through a moment of weakness, and how can that memory encourage you today?

Day 5: Preparing the Way with Confidence
The spirit of Elijah, later seen in John the Baptist, is not a relic of the past but a living call to action. It is a spirit characterized by a confidence that does not rest on human ability but on divine guidance. This spirit compels believers to prepare the way for the Lord in their own lives and in the world around them. It is a call to embody the boldness, the unwavering commitment, and the readiness to act upon God's commands that marked Elijah's life. To walk in the spirit of Elijah is to be a herald of the Divine, paving the path for truth and righteousness in a world that often walks in the opposite direction. [08:43]

"For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come." (Matthew 11:13-14 ESV)

Reflection: What does 'preparing the way for the Lord' look like in your personal life, and how can you take steps to embody this spirit of Elijah today?

Quotes

- "We need more men with the spirit of Elijah, with that confidence and conviction. We need more men who will stand up and lead in the church, who will lead in their household, who lead in their Community with the truth of God's word in them." [24:02] (Download | )

- "It's an arrogant thought to think you can handle life's challenges alone. There's incredible power that comes when you turn your life over to Christ." [25:35] (Download | )

- "Elijah is confident in God's provision enough that he stays until the brook is dry. That means there's a period of time where he's drinking from that moving brook, from that stale water, until it's completely gone." [10:24] (Download | )

- "Elijah brings the Widow's son back from the dead with the power given by God. He was confident that God would come and bring this boy back to life if it was God's will." [11:01] (Download | )

- "The most incredible place that I see the provision is on Mount Carmel. Elijah is confident in God's provision. Fire from heaven comes and strikes the altar and it is consumed." [12:16] (Download | )

- "Elijah's fear causes him to question his purpose. He questions what he's doing for God and why, but the incredible thing at this point in the story is that Elijah realigns his focus on what God has asked of him." [19:17] (Download | )

- "Men who are unapologetic with their faith, unapologetic to speak up against wrongdoing, against poor decisions, against people who are causing problems – to speak up and to act like men, to be men of character, conviction, and confidence for their faith." [21:08] (Download | )

- "The spirit of Elijah that came through John the Baptist is characterized by confidence in God's provision, the power to overcome adversity, and the courage to act upon God's commands." [08:43] (Download | )

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Transcript
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