Even though we’re living in times of great “apostasies” there will be a remnant of people left to serve God. These people have a heart for God and His ways. The remnant will do everything in its power to serve Him. They are committed to following the “Lamb” wherever He goes. Even if it means their own deaths. They have embraced the truth of His Word and chosen the reality of the Cross. Under God’s plan many things are set in motion at the same time. Because those in the remnant are not omniscient, it is difficult for them to see the whole picture of what God is doing. Nevertheless they must remain patient and obedient to God.
In the midst of all the turmoil that is going on in these “last days”, it is good to remember the story of Elijah the prophet. Elijah was crying out to God in a cave and feeling sorry for himself. Elijah was pleading his case before God and stated twice, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” {I Kings 19: 10, 14 [NKJV]}
Elijah was doing a works for God, and it started getting hard for him. He was being attacked on all sides and the “fun” that Elijah was having started to disappear. Elijah was honest with God and told him how he felt. God was able to handle Elijah’s feelings and emotions. However, what Elijah did not know was that God was preparing him for his next phase of his ministry. What Elijah could not see was the truth that he was one of many who were in the remnant doing a works for God.
This did not change God’s plan for Elijah. It was time for Elijah to transition to his next phase and God used this situation to prepare Elijah for his chariot ride into Glory. God’s purposes will continue despite how we feel. God was not thrown off by what Elijah did. God reminded Elijah of a very important truth that the remnant needs to take of hold in this hour. God told Elijah, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” {I Kings 19: 18 [NKJV]}. The remnant must be aware that it is a part of a larger “network” of people in the Spirit realm who are serving God.
The remnant needs to remember that it is a part of a bigger team and a bigger plan than what can be seen. The remnant must know that they are not the only ones working for God. God is revealing that His will shall be done by His remnant. Nothing is going to stop the remnant. Take comfort in this season because God is moving despite the growing level of foolishness that is happening within the Body of Christ. The sword will be released to deal with these situations in the days ahead.
Elijah was transitioned by chariot to his next assignment. It is believed by some scholars that Elijah will return to the earth in our time period as one of the two great witnesses who will perform signs, wonders, and miracles for the children of Israel. Some have written Elijah out of God’s plan altogether, but this is the danger that comes from not seeing like God sees. One can misinterpret the will of God for another based upon their mental reasoning and thinking ability. I have found that it is best to not add things to the Scriptures but to just read them and study them as they are.
There is a great a lesson that was taught by Elijah’s concern for himself. The remnant must take account and see God for who He really is. God allowed Jesus to share His emotions and feeling with Him. We see in the account of the Garden of Gethsemane that Jesus did not want to die on the Cross. Jesus did not want to endure the pain that He was about to go through. However, the story did not end there. This was just a moment and a snapshot of time that God used to build intimacy with Jesus. The same is true for Elijah. God corrected Elijah and then transitioned him into his chariot experience. God did not stop the plan that He had for Elijah.
In this Thanksgiving season, I am grateful for the remnant. I am grateful for the lessons that God shares with us in His word to bring us the truth of what He is doing. It is awesome to know and see the remnant standing strong for God and doing the work of the Lord. The remnant is relentless in their pursuit of God. Being relentless does not mean that you don’t have feelings and emotions. No, on the contrary. Those feelings and emotions are used by God to create the intimacy needed to propel the remnant into its future destiny with God. The remnant will always have their trials and their tribulations, but they are committed to stand on their post, guard the flock of God, give encouragement, and warn the Body of Christ. Let’s remember the remnant.
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