Standing in the Gap

Most Christians I know are nice, pleasant people. We want to get along with others. We don’t want to offend anyone by saying that something is wrong, because it would be politically incorrect. A lot of times we are afraid to stand out.

That is not how Elijah was, however. When we are first introduced to him in 1 Kings 17, he explodes onto the scene: "And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word’ " (verse 1).

There was Elijah, storming boldly into the court of the notoriously wicked Ahab and flinging down the gauntlet of his challenge at the very nerve center of Israel. He didn’t follow any protocol. He simply went walking in like he owned the place. They probably wondered how he got through security.

So where did Elijah get such boldness? What were his secrets? Notice his interesting expression: "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand. . . ." It meant that wherever Elijah went, he recognized that he was in the Lord’s presence. Wherever he went, he knew that God was with him. Elijah served a living God—not a dead one like the god of King Ahab. Like Job, Elijah could say, "I know that my Redeemer lives."

Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). As believers, we are never alone. We automatically become a majority of one because God is with us.

This awareness of God’s presence gave Elijah the courage to stand his ground. And God is still looking for men and women today who will stand up for what is true. Are you willing?