Issue 1282 – Solo – October 26, 2023
I snapped this image of a small tree growing out of a stump at the bottom of a waterfall. The river is flowing into Mud Lake, near Blue River, BC.
The little tree seems isolated from the hundreds of thousands of acres of inland temperate rainforest surrounding it. If it hadn’t been sown on the foundation of another dead tree, there was no place for it to grow.
Sometimes, we feel like this small evergreen in our Christian walk. The waters of life surround us and threaten to wash us away. We feel isolated, and we seem to be the only ones remaining faithful. It is as if we are standing alone against the world. We feel like we are the only ones doing the church’s work, and it can be easy to start criticizing fellow believers and thinking that we alone are carrying everything.
That isn’t a new phenomenon. It happened to Elijah, the prophet, after the Lord defeated the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah had a sudden bout of depression and fear and ran away.
As he stood against the enemy on Mount Carmel, Elijah believed he was the last faithful man standing.
Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.” 1 Kings 18:22
The Lord provides for Elijah miraculously and reveals himself while Elijah is in hiding (see 1 Kings 19). After instructing Elijah to take Elisha on as an apprentice, the Lord tells something that negates all of Elijah’s claims to be a solo act.
Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18
There are still seven thousand faithful. The actual number is unknown; seven is the number of perfection, and 1,000 means many multitudes. Far from being the last faithful servant of the Lord in Israel, there are many.
It is good to stop and look around when we get down on ourselves and feel isolated. There are multitudes of faithful believers serving to the best of their abilities. We are never alone in following the Lord.
We are also blessed to be indwelt by the Spirit, so even if we were the last Christian standing, we would be far from alone.
When we feel like we are the last one standing for Jesus, it is time to take heart. We number in untold multitudes, and the battle belongs to the Lord.
We never walk alone as followers of Christ. Praise His name.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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