CHAPTER TWELVE/He Took Comfort in His God - How Jehovah Comforted and Strengthened HIs Prophet

 At Horeb, Jehovah's "word"-evidently delivered by a spirit messenger-posed this simple question: "What is your business here, Elijah?" The question was likely spoken in a gentle way, for Elijah took it as an invitation to pour out his feeling. And pour them out he did! He said: "I have been absolutely jealous for Jehovah the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have left your covenant, your altars they have torn down, and your prophets they have killed with the sword, so that I only am left; and they began looking for my soul to take it away." (1 Kings 19:9, 10) Elijah's words reveal at least three reasons for his low spirits. 

First, Elijah felt that his work had been in vain. Despite years of being "absolutely jealous " in serving Jehovah, putting God's sacred name and worship above all else, Elijah saw that conditions seemed to only have grown worse. The people were still faithless and rebellious, while false worship was running rampant. Second, Elijah felt alone. "I only am left," he said, as if in that nation he were the last man who still served Jehovah. Third, Elijah was scared. Many of his fellow prophets had already been killed, and he was convinced that he was next. It may not have been easy for Elijah to admit to those feelings, but he did not let pride or embarrassment hold him back. By opening his heart to God in prayer, he set a good example for all faithful people. - PSALM 62:8.

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