1 Kings 19

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIX.—The promoters of false worship desperately hate those who resolutely oppose their designs. And no persecutor is more malicious or furious than a profane woman. How weak and spiritless are the greatest zealots for God when left to themselves! Elijah had just commanded both king and subjects: now he shrinks for fear of a dignified harlot. But it is mean to desire death as a refuge from distress: and to seek to die, like a wandering sheep, in the wilderness, while shunning the honourable death of a martyr for God at Jezreel! When men impatiently wish for death they are ordinarily in a frame very unfit for it; and would be ready to recall their wish if God were to grant it. We ought never to desert the path of duty, though it lead us through the valley of the shadow of death. However dark providences appear, we must never despair. We know not what further work God may have for us. To desire to be with Christ is laudable; but to be weary of our warfare is sinful. But God kindly overlooks the infirmities of his people; visits them when on the brink of despair; and lays meat before them when they shamefully desert his service. Such as are travelling to Horeb, to the mount of God in heaven, will find strength ministered to them for their journey, and angels to be their ministering spirits. To encourage their own peevish frowardness, saints are apt to think matters in the church worse than they really are. But whom the Lord loves he will rebuke and chasten, he will direct and further employ. No place can exclude his gracious manifestations. It is the folly of human weakness to be discouraged for want of success in God’s work. The sufficiency of the power is of God, not of ourselves. They, that would be faithful for God in bad times, must put their lives in their hands, and be ready to die for him.—In the most terrible manner God often introduces his most mild and gracious intimations God’s saints are generally few; but they are often more numerous, in times of general apostasy, than good men think; and all of them are under the special knowledge and care of God. It bodes ill when God’s favourites become inter cessors against a people. We may expect quickly to see or hear of instruments of God’s wrath raised up to destroy them; for in his due time God will avenge his people, and that speedily. Never can he want agents for his work, whether of mercy or judgment. None can resist his effectual and heart touching call; and no earthly cares can detain them from his service