1 Kings 19

Bible Passage:  1 Kings 19

Reading today’s chapter on BibleGateway, I found it neatly divided into three sections. Coincidentally, each section made me think of a certain hymn (or Christian song, if you like). Let me share a verse from each section, the hymns they made me think of as well as my brief thoughts on them.

Never Alone

So he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” (1 Kings 19:10)

I’ve seen the lightning flashing,
I’ve heard the thunder roll.
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing,
which almost conquered my soul.
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior,
bidding me still to fight on.
He promised never to leave me,
never to leave me alone.
Chorus:
No, never alone, no never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
never to leave me alone.
No, never alone, no never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
never to leave me alone.

The world’s fierce winds are blowing,
temptation sharp and keen.
I have a peace in knowing
my Savior stands between.
He stands to shield me from danger
when my friends are all gone.
He promised never to leave me,
never to leave me alone.
Chorus

When in affliction’s valley
I tread the road of care,
My Savior helps me carry
the cross so heavy to bear;
Though all around me is darkness,
earthly joys all flown;
My Savior whispers His promise,
never to leave me alone.
Chorus

He died on Calvary’s mountain,
for me they pierced His side.
For me He opened that fountain,
the crimson, cleansing tide.
For me He waiteth in glory,
seated upon His throne.
He promised never to leave me,
never to leave me alone.

Chorus

(Hymn 391)

If this hymn had been around during the time of Elijah, he might have found great comfort in it as he was fleeing, seemingly alone, from Jezebel. Don’t we often feel like him as well? Then, we should also take comfort in this hymn and remember that no matter how tough the going gets, we are never alone.

It’s easier said than done for in our times of weakness, how do we still feel that God is with us or that we still have someone on our side? Obviously, in order to feel that we are not alone, we have to take a look around us and see the other children of God who are walking on the same path we are. More importantly, we have to reach out and help one another.

Besides this, we also have to listen to the still small voice to feel the presence of God.          

A Still, Small Voice

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Sam 19:11-12)

主雖然以艱難給你當餅，祂雖然以困苦給你當水，
你的教師卻不再隱藏，你的眼必看見你的主。
你或向左或向右你必聽見，或向左或向右必聽見，
後面有聲音說：「這是正路，你要行走在其間」。

(Based on Isaiah 30:20 ‘And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers.’ Chinese title ‘主雖然’)

Sadly, the presence of God is sometimes neglected because many have lost their sensitivity to the still, small voice amidst all the other louder and more attractive voices of the world.

As we observe our Sabbath, let us make use of this opportunity to quieten our hearts and listen to this small still voice.

Pass It On

So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. (1 Kings 19:19)

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s Love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring,
When all the trees are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it.
You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I’ve found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you’re bound,
I’ll shout it from the mountain top
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.

What does the small still voice of God tell us though?

One of the things this voice tells us would be the reminder to keep the faith and zeal burning till Jesus comes again.

Although ‘Pass It On’ is often used in talking about evangelising and bringing the word of God to others, I also thought of it in relation to the passing on of the baton from Elijah to Elisha because of the ‘spark’ mentioned in the first line. Like a torch-bearer in the relay, the whole ‘cloud of witness’ (Heb 12) awaits breathlessly for the time Jesus comes again and we cross the finish line together. Don’t you find it awesome that you have a part in a race of such a great magnitude?

Enjoy this thought and have a blessed Sabbath! 🙂