October 16, 1913

The Hour of Darkness

EGW

At the gate of Jezreel, Elijah and Ahab separated. Choosing to remain outside the walls, the prophet wrapped himself in his mantle, and lay down upon the bare earth to sleep. The king, passing within, soon reached the shelter of his palace, and there related to his wife the wonderful events of the day, and the marvelous revelation of divine power that had proved to Israel that Jehovah was the true God and Elijah his chosen messenger. As Ahab told the queen of the slaying of the idolatrous prophets, Jezebel, hardened and impenitent, became infuriated. She refused to recognize in the events on Mt. Carmel the overruling providence of God, and, still defiant, she boldly declared that Elijah should die.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 1

That night a messenger aroused the weary prophet, and delivered to him the word of Jezebel: “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 2

It would seem that after showing on Carmel courage so undaunted, after triumphing over king and priests and people, Elijah could never afterward give way to despondency, nor be awed into timidity. But he who had been blessed with so many evidences of God's loving care, was not above the frailties of mankind, and in this dark hour his faith and courage forsook him. Bewildered, he started from his slumber. The rain was pouring from the heavens, and darkness was on every side. Forgetting that three years before, God had directed his course to a place of refuge from the hatred of Jezebel and the search of Ahab, the prophet now lost sight of God's protecting care, and fled for his life. Leaving his servant at Beersheba, he “went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper-tree.”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 3

Elijah should not have fled from his post of duty. He should have met the threat of Jezebel with an appeal for protection to the One who had commissioned him to do the work he had done. He should have told the messenger that the God in whom he trusted would protect him against the hatred of the queen. Only a short time had passed since he had witnessed a wonderful manifestation of God's power, and this should have given him assurance that he would not now be forsaken. Had he remained where he was, had he made God his refuge and strength, standing steadfast for the truth, the Lord would have shielded him from harm. He would have given him another signal victory by sending his judgments on Jezebel; and the impression made on the king and the people would have wrought a great reformation.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 4

However courageous and successful a man may be in the performance of a special work, unless he looks constantly to God when circumstances arise to test his faith he will lose his courage. Even after God has given him marked tokens of his power, after he has been strengthened to do God's work, he will fail unless he trusts implicitly in Omnipotence.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 5

Elijah had expected much from the miracle wrought on Carmel, and his disappointment was keen. He had hoped that after this signal display of God's power, Jezebel would no longer have influence over the mind of Ahab, and that there would be a speedy reform throughout Israel. All day on Carmel's height he had toiled without food. When he had guided the chariot of Ahab to the gate of Jezreel, his courage was strong.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 6

But the reaction which frequently follows high faith and glorious success was pressing upon Elijah. He feared that the reformation begun on Carmel might not be lasting. Depression seized him. He had been exalted to Pisgah's top; now he was in the valley. While under the inspiration of the Almighty, he had stood the severest trial of faith; but in this time of discouragement, with Jezebel's threatening message sounding in his ears, and Satan still apparently prevailing through the plotting of this wicked woman, he lost his hold on God. He had been exalted above measure, and the reaction was tremendous. Forgetting God, he fled, going on and on until he found himself in a dreary waste, alone.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 7

Utterly wearied, he sat down to rest under a juniper-tree. And sitting there, he requested for himself that he might die. “It is enough; now, O Lord,” he said, “take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” A fugitive, far from the homes of men, his spirits crushed by bitter disappointment, he desired never to look upon the faces of men again. At last, utterly exhausted, he fell asleep.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 8

Into the experience of all there come times of disappointment and discouragement, days when sorrow is the portion, and it is hard to believe that God is still the kind benefactor of his earth-born children,—days when troubles harass the soul till death seems preferable to life. It is at such times that many lose their hold on God, and are brought into the slavery of doubt, the bondage of unbelief. Could we at such times discern with spiritual sight the meaning of God's providences, we should see angels of God seeking to save us from ourselves, striving to plant our feet upon a foundation more firm than the everlasting hills; and new faith, new life, would spring into being.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 9

The faithful Job, in the day of his affliction and darkness, declared:RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 10

“Let the day perish wherein I was
born.”
“Oh that my grief were thoroughly
weighed,
And my calamity laid in the balances
together!”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 11

“Oh that I might have my request;
And that God would grant me the
thing that I long for!
Even that it would please God to
destroy me;
That he would let loose his hand, and
cut me off!
Then should I yet have comfort.”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 12

“I will not refrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my
spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of
my soul....
My soul chooseth ... death rather
than my life.
I loathe it;
I would not live alway:
Let me alone;
For my days are vanity.”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 13

But though weary of life, Job was not allowed to die. To him were pointed out the possibilities of the future, and there was given to him the message of hope:RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 14

“Thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not
fear:
Because thou shalt forget thy misery,
And remember it as waters that pass
away:
And thine age shall be clearer than the
noonday;
Thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be
as the morning.
And thou shalt be secure,
Because there is hope; ...
Thou shalt lie down,
And none shall make thee afraid.”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 15

From the depths of discouragement and despondency Job rose to the heights of implicit trust in the mercy and the saving power of God. Triumphantly he declared:RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 16

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust
in him: ...
He also shall be my salvation.”
“I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And that he shall stand at the latter
day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy
this body,
Yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself,
And mine eyes shall behold, and not
another.”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 17

“The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind,” and revealed to his servant the might of his power. When Job caught a glimpse of his Creator, he abhorred himself, and repented in dust and ashes. Then the Lord was able to bless him abundantly, and to make his last years the best of his life.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 18

Hope and courage are essential to perfect service in the work of God. These are the fruit of faith. Despondency is sinful and unreasonable. God is able and willing more abundantly to bestow upon his servants the strength they need for test and trial. The plans of the enemies of his work may seem to be well laid and firmly established; but God can overthrow the strongest of these. And this he does in his own time and way, when he sees that the faith has been sufficiently tested.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 19

For the disheartened there is one remedy—faith, prayer, work. Faith and activity will impart assurance and satisfaction that will increase day by day. In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, fear not. Have faith in God. He knows your every need. He has all power. His infinite love and compassion never weary. Fear not that he will not fulfil his promise. He is eternal truth. Never will he change the covenant he has made with those who love him. And he will bestow upon his faithful servants the measure of efficiency that their need demands. Said the tried apostle Paul: “He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.... Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 20

Did God forsake Elijah? O, no! he loved him no less when he felt forsaken of God and man than when, in answer to his prayer, fire flashed from heaven and illuminated the mountaintop. As Elijah slept, a soft touch and a pleasant voice awoke him. He started up in terror, as if to flee, fearing that the enemy had discovered him. But the pitying face bending over him was not the face of an enemy, but of a friend. God had sent an angel from heaven with food for his servant. “Arise and eat,” the angel said. “And he looked, and behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head.”RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 21

After Elijah had partaken of the refreshment prepared for him, he slept again. A second time the angel came. Touching the exhausted man, he said, with pitying tenderness: “Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink;” and in the strength of that food he was able to journey “forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God,” where he found refuge in a cave.RH October 16, 1913, Art. A, par. 22