“YOU’RE ARE NOT ALONE”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: 1 Kings 19 (Focus vs. 8–11, 15–18)
MEMORY VERSE
“I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal.”
1 Kings 19:18
BACKGROUND
“So great to see you!” “You, too!” “So glad you’re here!” The greetings were warm and welcoming. Members of a ministry in Southern California gathered online before their evening program. As their speaker, calling in from Colorado, I watched silently as the others gathered on the video call.
As an introvert and not knowing anyone, I felt like a social outsider. Then suddenly, a screen opened and there was my pastor. Then another screen opened. A longtime church friend was joining the call, too. Seeing them, I no longer felt alone. God, it seemed, had sent support.
Elijah wasn’t alone either, despite feeling like “the only [prophet] left” after fleeing the wrath of Jezebel and Ahab (1 Kings 19:10). Journeying through desert wilderness for forty days and forty nights, Elijah hid in a cave on Mount Horeb.
But God called him back into service, telling him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus.
When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet” (vv. 15–16).
God then assured him, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him” (v. 18). As Elijah learned, while serving God we don’t serve alone. As God brings help, we’ll serve together.
By: Patricia Raybon
INSIGHT
As we look at the story of Elijah’s flight from the threats of Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1–9), we see similarities to Moses’ experiences. Just like Moses, Elijah fled from a ruler who intended to kill him (Exodus 2:15; 1 Kings 19:3).
Elijah spent forty days journeying to Horeb, the mountain of God (also known as Mount Sinai), and Moses spent forty days on the same mountain (1 Kings 19:8; Exodus 24:18; 34:28). Both prophets met God there on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:11; Exodus 24:12–18).
When Elijah arrived, he covered his face with his garment, protecting himself (1 Kings 19:13), similar to Moses’ being protected by the rock as God passed by (Exodus 33:21–22). The NIV Application Commentary notes: “The narrative intentionally makes Elijah a prophet like Moses.”
APPLICATION
What support has God recently sent when you were serving Him? Whom could you invite to serve with you to grow your ministry impact for God?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
We may feel lonely some times in fulfilling our calling but never alone
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
“…while serving God we don’t serve alone.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
PRAYER
“Dear God, when I feel alone while serving You, remind me that others are with me as we joyfully serve.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WORKING TOGETHER” Ron Hiller & Nancy Goodfellow
Alright, here we go!
As creatures in this garden
We have jobs that we must do
And each one is important
Yes, we know that this is true
We work together, share together
Do what we must do
And working together is just as important for you
So, happily, helpfully, cheerfully, carefully
Doing what we can
Eagerly, lovingly, smilingly, faithfully
Following God’s plan
For every job is necessary
Even if it’s small
Yes, working together is very important for all
As children of a loving God
There’re things that you can do
By serving in your special way
You say you love Him too
It really doesn’t matter if you’re big or if you’re small
And serving the Lord is so very important for all
So, happily, helpfully, cheerfully, carefully
Doing what we can…
We may be young, we may be old
No matter what our age
God wants to use our helping hands
In many different ways
He’s happy when we say,
“Okay, I’ll do my best for You!”
So, doing our best is precisely what we ought to do
So, happily, helpfully, cheerfully, carefully
Doing what we can…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
THE BOOK OF II KINGS CHAPTERS 8-14
THE BOOK OF 1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTERS 1-8