1 KINGS 19:10: So he said, “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.”
Upon returning from one of his globe-encircling voyages, Sir Francis Drake, the great explorer,
anchored his ship in the little Thames River. A dangerous storm arose and it seemed that his ship
would flounder. Someone standing near the old, weather-beaten seaman heard him say through
gritted teeth, “Must I who have escaped the rage of the ocean be drowned in a ditch?”
Often a Christian who has withstood the assaults of Satan in severe trials and temptations falters
because of a minor difficulty. Elijah found himself in such a position. He had confronted Ahab, king of
Israel.
He had stood up to 450 prophets of Baal. He had challenged the people of Israel to renew their
commitment to the Lord. Then he was faced with the wrath of a vengeful woman, Jezebel. Not only
did he flee, but he also began to feel sorry for himself. He concluded, “I alone am left; and they seek
to take my life.”
When we focus on the negative aspects of our situation, it’s easy to slip into self-pity. Life is filled with
many hardships and injustices. But as Elijah was about to learn, God’s people are never left alone.
God has promised not to keep us from the valleys, but to walk through them with us (Ps. 23:4). He
has promised us not the absence of problems, but the guarantee of His presence (Heb. 13:5).
If you fall victim to self-pity, don’t allow yourself to stay bogged down there. Whatever your
circumstances, God is with you. The two of you together are sufficient for any situation.
YOU ARE NEVER LEFT ALONE WHEN YOU ARE ALONE WITH GOD.