Elijah: Can He Depend On You?

I am not in the business of songwriting. Many of the songs we sing, if we pay close attention to the words, not only serve as encouragements but also as challenges. One song that comes to mind is “Can He Depend on You?” The chorus rings forth, “Can He depend on you, His blessed will to do? Will you be crowned with the faithful and true, can He depend on you?” I say I am no songwriter, but if I were, I would suggest a fourth stanza - one that addresses not only sharing the truth but sharing the truth amid difficulty.

Such a quality is present in many of the prophets. John the Baptizer stood boldly in opposition to Herod and his adultery (Mark 6:14-29). Micaiah stood boldly against Ahab (1 Kings 22). Elijah also stood boldly in opposition to Ahab (1 Kings 21:17-24).

Ahab was a wicked king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His wickedness was rampant, so rampant that God supplies these words: “There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.” (1 Kings 21:25). The particular occasion of Ahab’s wickedness followed Jezebel’s conspiracy to have Naboth killed. She conspired against Naboth because her husband, Ahab, desired his vineyard but was told no. Following the death of Naboth, Ahab went to take possession of the vineyard. Notice the term Ahab uses for Elijah, the prophet of God, as vindicated by God: “Have you found me, O my enemy?” (1 Kings 21:20). My enemy - why? Because Elijah stood for and with the Lord.

Did Elijah know he was Ahab’s enemy? Of course. In 1 Kings 18, from the discussion between Elijah and Obadiah, a servant of Ahab, it is glaringly evident that Ahab had a deep desire for Elijah to die. However, none of the implications of Ahab’s hatred for him stopped his intentions of being a servant of the Lord. Instead of cowering in fear, Elijah stood where few would stand and condemned the actions of Ahab, which surprisingly would lead to Ahab’s repentance.

Elijah is a sterling image of what it means to be a servant of God. It means standing for truth regardless of repercussions. It demands being concerned with your image before God, not men. God could depend on Elijah. Can He depend on you?