The challenge of the 450 prophets of Baal is exciting. Let the God that answers by

fire be the true God. Baal could not answer but God sent the fire, and later He sent the

But the story as recorded in I Kings 19: is related to our study. Elijah's life was

threatened, so he ran away with his servant. At Beersheba he left his servant and went

alone into the wilderness. Under the juniper tree we hear Elijah saying, "It is enough;

now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers". He was very

depressed. An angel gave him refreshment twice and he went for 40 days in the strength

of that food. "What doest thou here Elijah?" asked the Lord. The Lord then revealed

Himself to Elijah, not in the strong wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in a

still small voice.  "What doest thou here?" asked the Lord again.  In reply Elijah

complained to the Lord that Israel had forsaken the covenant, thrown down His altars,

killed the prophets, and Elijah himself was in great danger, "and I, even I only, am left;

and they seek my life . . . . .". Elijah believed he had come to the end for he thought he

was alone, and his life was in real danger. How hopeless was his case! How depressed

was Elijah!

But what was God's answer to Elijah? The full answer is given in I Kings 19: 15-18:

and God added:

Was Elijah really alone? He thought he was but many were following the true God.

And God had His plans for the future of Israel. When we think all is lost, let us

remember that God is in control and He has His own plans which will ripen in due

course. God will not fail us nor forsake us.

Let us remind ourselves of the tremendous cost paid, and the sufferings endured by the

Lord. When the final test came was He supported by the disciples, or was He alone?