When we live in a country that’s barred to the gospel. I thought I would be intimidated by the prohibition of authority. Because we were taught by the parents we should not put ourselves up front as a target of sacrifice or victim. The final teaching is never to get into trouble. If I get into trouble, my parents will be involved. For being a good kid, don’t ever get into trouble, period.
But Elijah refused to be intimidated, even when the king of Israel sent fifty soldiers to arrest him (2 Kings 1:9). The prophet knew God was with him, and he called down fire that consumed the team. The king sent more soldiers, and Elijah did it again (v. 12). The king sent more, but the third team had heard about the others. The captain begged Elijah to spare his soldiers’ lives. They were more afraid of him than he’d ever been of them, so the angel of the Lord told Elijah it was safe to go with them.
Jesus doesn’t want us to call down fire on our enemies. When the disciples asked if they could call down fire on a Samaritan village, Jesus reprimanded them. We’re living in a different time. But Jesus does want us to have Elijah’s boldness—to be ready to tell everyone about the Savior who died for them. It may seem like one person taking on fifty, but it’s actually He on fifty. Jesus provides what we need to courageously love and reach out to others.
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