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God’s Heroes, July 22
1 Kings 18:21-40
How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him:
but if Baal, then follow him.
1 Kings 18:21
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Elijah, amid the general apostasy, did not seek to hide the fact that he served
the God of heaven. Baal’s prophets numbered four hundred and fifty, his priests,
four hundred, and his worshipers were thousands; yet Elijah did not try to make
it appear that he was on the popular side. He grandly stood alone.... With
clear, trumpetlike tones Elijah addressed the vast multitude: “How long halt ye
between two opinions? ...” ... Where are the Elijahs of today
God would have His honor exalted before men as supreme, and His counsels
confirmed in the eyes of the people. The witness of the prophet Elijah on Mount
Carmel gives the example of one who stood wholly for God and His work in the
earth.... “Let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel,” he prays, “and
that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me,
O Lord,” he pleads, “hear me.” ...
His zeal for God’s glory and his deep love for the house of Israel present
lessons for the instruction of all who stand today as representatives of God’s
work in the earth
Nothing is gained by cowardice or by fearing to let it be known that we are
God’s commandment-keeping people. Hiding our light, as if ashamed of our
faith, will result only in disaster. God will leave us to our own weakness. May
the Lord forbid that we should refuse to let our light shine forth in any place
to which He may call us. If we venture to go forth of ourselves, following our
own ideas, our own plans, and leave Jesus behind, we need not expect to gain
fortitude, courage, or spiritual strength. God has had moral heroes, and He has
them now,—those who are not ashamed of being His peculiar people. Their
wills and plans are all subordinate to the law of God. The love of Jesus has led
them not to count their lives dear unto themselves. Their work has been to catch
the light from the word of God and to let it shine forth in clear, steady rays to
the world. “Fidelity to God” is their motto
[210]
39
Testimonies for the Church 5:526, 527
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40
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1034
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41
Testimonies for the Church 5:527, 528
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217