Read I Kings 19 Elijahs encounter with God

"and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? (I Kings 19:12-13)

After years of ministry, I recalled number of occasions God allowed time of depression, sense of inadequacy and frustrations to show how dependence I am of Him. In reality He was preparing within me to experience something more significant. That is more of who He is than what my ministry is all about!

First God brought Elijah to an awareness of his needs. Elijah went on a days journey into the wilderness, discouraged and wished to die. He allowed fear to grip him, fled for his life, became depressed and suicidal because of what Jezebel said (I Kings 19:1-4). Elijah was too busy in the ministry. He was too preoccupied with what he had done for God "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty." (I Kings 19:10,14). God allowed the testing to bring him to an awareness of himself and who God is. He needed to be still and be at rest within. God ministered to him in supernatural way. God has to work in him before through him.

Second, God caused him to be awakened. God spoke to him not in the loudness of the wind or earth quake which he might be expecting as it did when he confronted the false prophets. Here was in a gentle whisper (I Kings 19:11-13) More so, God did it through a question.

Thirdly, God gave him an assignment. He led Elijah through a prophetic act in bringing about succession of his ministry (I Kings 19:15-16). He heard the Lord's questions and responded to God's instruction to anoint Jehuu and Elisha. God did not entertain his mood but championed him to move on.

Prayer: Father God, You are there whether I experience high or low in spirit. Let me not give in to self-pity, entertaining the flesh or any negative expressions of anger, frustration and bitterness. You see my potential in Your Son, even in midst of trials to bring You glory. Holy Spirit, let me hear when You speak even in ways I have not expected it.

II KINGS [6-10 MARCH DAY 66-70]

INTORDUCTION

The Book of I Kings ends with Ahaziah. He succeeded his father Ahab as king of Israel while Jehoshaphat rules in Judah. II Kings continues the history of northern kingdom, Israel twelve kings and the southern kingdom, Judahs sixteen kings. The book has two main divisions.

First, from chapters 1-17 Elishas ministry. Elijah was taken to heaven and the mantle fall of Elisha. Elisha got the double portion and more miracles were done through him than the former.

In Israel, king Ahaziah joined Joram to fight Aram (Chapter 8). Joram was wounded. Elisha anointed Jehu to be the next king. Jehu slain both Joram of Israel and Ahaziah of Judah. Jehu became king. He killed Jezebel and all of Ahab's household, the seventy princes and forty-two relatives as well as servants of Baal (Chapters 9-10). Jehu died; his son Jehoahaz succeeded him followed by Jehoash. Jehoash visited Elisha to seek counsel against the Aram. He was instructed to strike the arrow as a prophetic act of victory over the Aram. He did thrice thus limiting to Israels deliverance from Aram thrice.

In Judah, after king Ahaziah's death, his mother, Athaliah usurped the throne killing all potential successors to the throne. However, Joash escaped from been killed. Subsequently Queen Athaliah was killed and the priest named Jehoiada helped Joash to the throne. Joash was seven years old when he became king (Chapter 11). He served God and loved God's law. He encouraged the people to trust God and repaired God's temple (Chapters 11-12). But after Jehoiada died, Joash did some evil things. He took some holy objects from the temple. Killed Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, who was a prophet (II Chronicles 24:22). Soon afterwards, Joash's officials killed Joash (Chapter 12). Amaziah succeeded Joash. Amaziah got into conflict with the king of Israel, Jehoash resulted his death (Chapter 14)

Israel is exiled to Assyria. The last king of Israel was called Hoshea. The king of the nation of Assyria attacked Israel. And he destroyed Israel (2 Kings 17). The king of Assyria gave the land to people from other countries. These people served God, but they also served false gods.

Chapters 18 - 25 Kings of Judah. The nation of Judah still exists. Hezekiah trusted God, but he made some important mistakes. When Hezekiah was in trouble, he prayed to God. So God sent the prophet Isaiah to Hezekiah. And God helped Hezekiah (2 Kings chapters 18-20).

Judah is exiled to Babylon. Hezekiah's son, Manasseh, succeeded as king but did evil and served terrible gods. He ended in destruction (2 Kings 21:1-18)

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