A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – November 1, 2019
Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come. (Psalm 71:18, ASV)
Elijah was one of the most powerful prophets of God in the Bible. He prophesied to King Ahab that there would not be rain for three years and there was no rain. The Lord commanded the ravens to feed Elijah daily at the Brook of Cherith until the brook dried up from no rain. After the brook dried up, the Lord sent Elijah to a widow woman who only had enough food for her and her son for one day. Elijah prophesied over the food and they all ate for many days. When the widow woman’s son got sick and died, Elijah prayed for the son and he was raised from the dead.
Elijah then confronted the 850 false prophets that served King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. He challenged them to a fire sacrifice competition and won. He then had all the false prophets executed, which obviously made King Ahab and Jezebel very angry. Elijah then prayed for it to start raining again after three years and it started to raining.
Elijah was definitely on a roll!!! His anointing and power were without question! However, with tremendous success sometimes comes tremendous pride. Elijah was at a point that he thought he could do and face anything so he now ran to confront Jezebel. The only problem with this was that God had not told him to confront Jezebel. In each of Elijah’s previous conquests the Lord had given him a direct word to do what he did. The hand of the Lord was still on Elijah, but no word had been given him to do this so when he confronted Jezebel he recoiled in fear. After that, Elijah became a recluse and wanted to die. He hid in a cave and thought he was the only one left that served the Lord.
But then, God spoke! Elijah, what are you doing in this cave? After much discussion God talked him out of the cave and told him to go find three men (Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha). God told Elijah to anoint Hazael to be King over Syria; Jehu to be King over Israel; and Elisha to be the prophet that would take over from Elijah.
This story is very important for men and women of God that have done great exploits but are now getting on up in years. It can be a depressing time, if we let it, or it can be a very fulfilling time. These three men were able to accomplish much more than Elijah. For example, Elisha did twice as many miracles as Elijah. More importantly, Jehu was the one that confronted and brought down Jezebel. It wasn’t Elijah that was called to confront Jezebel.
There is a time for great personal victories, and then there is a time to disciple others. There is a time to experience great miracles and anointings, and then there is a time to pass that anointing onto the younger generation. The lesson is this. We are not the only ones out there that God has chosen and anointed to do great exploits. Elijah was actually able in his latter years to get more accomplished than he was ever able to do by himself.
Have you been one of those who God has used greatly? Are you presently in a cave because those times seem to have disappeared? The Word from the Lord is this. Come out of your cave and find the next generation of giant killers that need you to impart your anointing and wisdom to. It’s time for them to take the baton and run with it and you are a needed part of that plan.
