By Theodore Epp

      1 Kings 17:1 James 6:16-18

      Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. He had a remarkable ministry, but he was still human. He had special gifts from God and was set apart to perform a special ministry.

      The difference between him and us is due to the special work God had for him and the fact that he was fully submitted to God.

      When he relied on his own resources, he became as weak as a child. At one period in his life he was discouraged almost to the point of death. Renewed by God, he was as bold as a lion.

      He dared to stand before King Ahab and pronounce the judgment of God on him and his kingdom. The prophet showed no hesitancy and expected God to do what He said He would. The basic principle behind this is given in the New Testament.

      The first thing that Elijah did when he stood before Ahab was to remind the king that the God of Israel is a living God.

      Jezebel had brought Baal worship into Israel and had 850 priests leading in the worship of idols. So the first thing Elijah said was "As the Lord God of Israel liveth" (1 Kings 17:1).

      Elijah was unafraid when he stood before Ahab because he had knelt in humility before Almighty God.

      The Lord gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud. For this reason we are to submit ourselves to God, but we are to resist the Evil One, and he will flee from us.

      When we are right with God in our hearts, then we will ask for the things that please Him, and He will answer us.

      "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51).