The Bossier banner., 1911-02-16
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson VIII.-First Quarter, For
Feb. 19, 1911.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES
Text Of the Lesson, Kings xix, lie.
Memory Verses, 11-13-GoIden Text,
lsa. XII, 31-Commentary Prepared by
Rev. D. N. Stearns.


humble, patient, persevering. believing
prayer on the top of Carmel, down
upon the earth with his face between
his knees, commanding his servant to
go again and again, even seven times,
until he should see some indication Of
the promised rain. At the seventh
time the servant saw little cloud like
a mans hand, and soon the heaven
was black with clouds and wind, and
there was a great rain. How SuggeS-
tive the little cloud was of the mans
hand that was taking hold of God in
prayer!
How great the contrast between
Ahab eating and drinking, enjoying
himself. thinking more of horses and
mules than Of perishing people xviii,
| 81. and the man of God caring only for
the glory of the living and true God,
whom he represented! Since the Lord
said to Elijah when He sent him to
meet Ahab, II will send rain upon
the earth' xviii, u, why should Elijah
need to pray so earnestly for it? This
is perpleXing to many, but it is His
way Concerning His great promises
to Israel in the future He says, Il
will yet for this be inquired of by the
house Of Israel to do it for them"
(szek. xxxvi, 50.
The question should search us, Have
we anything of the zeal for God and
perscvering prayer that Elijah had?
When Ahab reached home and told
Jezabel all that Elijah had done she
was angry indeed and sent mes
seneer to him with threat that she
would have his life within twenty
four hours. Now comes the strange
part of the story in the seemingly sad
fact that the man Of God who feared
not Ahab nor all the prophets of Baal
should flee for his life at the threat OF
this wicked woman when it seemed
that he was needed so much just at
that time to lead the people back to
the God who had answered by fire.
By look in the wrong direction he
seemed to lose his hold on God Like
Peter, when he saw the wind bolster
GUS, he began to sink Matt. xiv. 30).
If we would be established we must
always see the Lord alone and re-
member if God be for us who can be
against u.s.
AS he sat under juniper tree far
away in the wilderness he realized that
he was no better than others and moi
worthy to live. The conflict was toe
severe, and he would fain be at rest.
He was man just as weak as any OF
us and strong only in the Lord. The
Lord. who is always full of compass.
sion. had not forsaken His weary and
discouraged servant, and as he Law and
slept one of those blessed ministcring
spirits GIeb. i. 14 prepared something
for him to eat and drink and awaked
him that he might be refreshed with
food as we'll as sleep. Again he slept,
and again he was awaked to partake Of
more food, in the strength of which he
went forty days and forty nights unto
Horeb, the mount of God (verse 81.
There he lodged in cave, and the
| same Lord .''hO cared for him at Che.
rith and Zarephath must have cared for
him at Horeb, but what We're his medi-
tations? Did he think of him to whom
the Lord here appeared in the bush
that burned, but was not consumed,
and who here tasted forty days on two
different occasions? Did he think of
the thunders and lightnings and quak-.
ing of the mount at the giving of the
law (EX. iii and XIX, and did he long
for some manifestation of God? Could
he forget the answers from heaven
on Carmel so recently? But many
days or even weeks had passed since
then, and he had not been in full fell
lowship. 1t is a sad thing to lose in
any way or for any length of time the
conscious fellowship with God which
is our privilege
Well in due time the word of the
Lord came to him with the question.
what doest thou here, Elijah?"
Nerses 9, 49, His answer each time
was that he had been very jealous for
the Lord God of hosts and that he was
the only prophet left and they were
seeking his life (verses 10, 1D.
After his first reply he was told tc
go forth and stand upon the mount
before the Lord. Then came a great
wind which rent the mountains and
broke in pieces the rocks before the
Lord, then an earthquake and then a
fire, but it was not until after the
fire there came still small voice that
Elijah heard the second question.
What doest thou here?' After all
that he had just seen and experienced
his answer is the same, and he is still
occupied with himself and his zeal for
God and his Importance to God.
lie was man of mighty deeds and
evidently thought that only in some
mighty way could Israel be cleanscd
from her idolatry. God has wav
so different from our way ofttimes
lisa. lv. s, 81. and it becomes us
to hear and heed His voice 81 will
work. and who shall hinder it?'' lisa.
Kill, 13.) How suggestive and search.
Ing his commission now as we'll as
the twice repeated What doest tbou
here?' go. return. anoint Elisha 70
be prophet in thy room: have left Nc
seven thousand in Israeli (xv, 1s,.
Let us never think that we are tho
only helpers the Lord has nor that We
are all important to Him. lest He set |
rs aside and appoint another.