KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH!(6)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH! (6)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

1 Kgs 19: 9-14,18.

*And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?*

*And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.*

*And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks 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.*

*And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?*

*And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.*

*Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Fame in ministry may not be proof of success.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Each of us often thinks we are the only ones doing all the work, the only ones left faithful to God or who faithfully serve God.

We lament over being called upon thinking we are being overused. It is often a false sense of self gratification that either suggests that our commitment is being taken advantage of or that we are considered most indispensable.

God's response to Elijah's lament may be to tell him he was not indispensable and for sure to assure him that he is not alone because there are many unknown and who are not famous but who are just as committed as Elijah.

For the reasons aforementioned, God revealed His plan for the future, including the punishment of the wicked, the establishment of a new king, and the anointing of a new prophet, Elisha, in his place.

While Elijah lamented, there were seven thousand God's faithfuls he did not know of and there were two notable faithfuls along with Elisha, namely Hazael, Jehu he must anoint to continue from where he stopped, 1 Kgs 19:15-16.

We can not be more important than God who made us.

He prepares ahead of us, and only those who persevere to the end shall be saved, Matt 24:13.

We are never justified by our excuses, Exd 4:10-11, Jer 1: 6-9.

Paul says no one is justified before God. Only those who accept Him for who He is and those who are ready to abide with Him, regardless of any condition they face, are just in His sight.

He says in Gal 3: 11 *But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.*

Furthermore, the story of Elijah is also an encouragement to those who are serving God but are not known by the children of men.

They are obscure in ministry. Some have been in existence in this generation yet

not discovered. They are a mystery and may often be hidden by God.

While we celebrate those we know, God celebrates those whom we do not know, and they are just as His as the ones we know.

Some we largely know today may be products of those we do not know and may never know, but God knows them.

Large congregation, fame, ministry wealth may not necessarily mean acceptability by God, ref the Ladocean church in Rev 3:18.

While a large congregation, fame, and ministry wealth are signs of God's blessing, a less congregation, not famous or not rich church, is also a blessing from God. The church in Smyrna is described as being "poor, yet rich". 

Jesus' letter acknowledged the Church in Smyna's tribulation and poverty but also highlights their spiritual wealth and faithfulness. Rev 2:8-11.

Fix your eyes on Christ. This will help you with your stress. Keep your head high enough to face the challenges before you.

Ask God to help you before you complain.

*Remorse corner.*

People may not see your labour in the Lord's vineyard, but God sees you.

*Call to Word action.*

Obscurity is not insignificance.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Serve God diligently when no one is there, just as you would serve Him when everyone is there. Nothing is done in secret that shall not be made known, ref Lk 8:17.

*Prayer.*

Lord, acknowledge me as Your vessel, though no one may know me. Bless the works of my hands, in Jesus name.

Good morning, all, and be blessed as you go today.

God bless you.

Shalom.