The name Elijah's Promise...
Elijah's story is found in 1 Kings 17-2 Kings 2. In 1 Kings 17:2 God commands Elijah to go to Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. God ordered him to go there without any provisions and for an indefinite period of time. But, with the command, God also gives Elijah a promise. He is aware of Elijah's physical needs, and He will provide for them through both ordinary (brook water) and extraordinary means (special delivery bread). In 17:5, we see Elijah's response.
It is a response of faith—he trusted God's promise by obeying His command. God supplied his physical needs, just as He promised, and Elijah experienced the fulfillment of God's promise—and undoubtedly his faith in God's power and faithfulness also grew.
Eventually, the drought that God had brought on the land through Elijah's word dries up the brook, so God moves him to another site. He is to travel to Zarephath. Once again, along with the command, God gives Elijah a promise. He will provide for him through a widow there. Elijah responds in faith and trusts God's promise to provide for him by obeying his command to go to Zarephath.
Through a series of trying events, Elijah remains faithful. There, in addition to experiencing the fulfillment of God's promise, he also influences the woman toward faith in God. He goes on to confront Ahab regarding the Israelites worship of Baal. God continues to provide for Elijah and keep him safe. Elijah was probably unaware, at that time, that God was growing him spiritually through these experiences.
In 1 Kings 19:19 Elisha becomes Elijah's disciple. The two of them continue to trust God's promise to Elijah for provision and safety. When the time comes for Elijah to ascend to Heaven, Elijah asks Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." Elisha was with Elijah as he ascended and did inherit that double portion of Elijah's spirit. God's provisions for Elijah were passed to Elisha as long as he continued to be faithful.
What does all this have to do with us? Lots! While the details may differ, God works with all of us in essentially the same way he worked with Elijah.
First, God has the same basic purpose for your life as he did for Elijah. He wants you to know him personally as the only true God and experience his faithfulness, and he wants to uniquely demonstrate the reality of his existence through you to others who don't know him.
Second, He reveals his commands and promises to you through His Word, the Bible. As you give attention to God's Word, His Spirit will draw your attention to the specific command and promise that relate to your life right now.
Then he will challenge you to put your faith in him, to trust his promise by obeying his command. This step is usually scary, because it's new, often contrary to your thoughts and feelings, and involves giving away control. If you choose to trust God in this way, then you will experience the fulfillment of his promise in your life.
Members of the band, Elijah's Promise, have been challenged through life experiences. We have chosen to put our faith in God and trust that He knows what is best for our lives.
This is our testimony.
