ESOCS Devotional 21 August 2026 – Empty Threat
MEMORY VERSE: 1 Kings 19:2 “So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say may the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life that of one of these”
TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-18
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
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.”
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because 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.”
15 Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. 16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17 It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
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In our text today, we read of how Jezebel is undaunted by the victory of the God of Elijah over the prophets of Baal. She threatens to kill Elijah in 24 hours. But alas, the threat was empty. She could not perform it. At last, she lost her throne and her life. God prevails.
No doubt, many of us face like threats and situations in our endeavour in God’s service. We have many situations where people become so opposed to the will of God for his people that they lose the sense that God prevails in all situations. It is suicidal to stand against the mandate of God. On our part, we are to learn from the steps Elijah took.
First, do not face the wicked in physical combat. Step out and turn to God when they come with their trouble. In verse 3, we read that Elijah was afraid and ran for his dear life and got to Beersheba where he prayed.
Secondly, we should be sure of God’s attention and response to keep us away from danger. In verse 5 we read that “At once an angel touched, him and said “Get up and eat ….”. God’s help is certain to come at the point of need.
Thirdly, we should watch and follow God’s direction when it comes. It may come directly to us or through a messenger. We can only complete our task in Christ if we pay attention and implement God’s directions. Elijah got the strength to embark on a 40 days and 40 nights journey because he ate the meal provided by the angel of God. (1 Kings 19:6-9)
Again, we must realize our mistakes and be ready to redress our steps. We work with a perfect God who is patient and accepts those who turn to him in sincerity. God visited Elijah in the cave and asked him: “What are you doing here Elijah? At last, God said to Elijah: Go back the way you came….” Avoid the temptation to argue or reject to turn back and complete what you abandoned. We live for God. (9-18).
In conclusion, let it be known that our God has no equal. He prevails against all. Those who speak threats and curses against us for doing what we are anointed to do, do so in vain. Their threats are empty and shall be of no effect.
Question
Who can battle with the Lord?
Prayer
May I experience the wonders and glory of your appearance perfection in all aspects of my life in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading: Jer. 30:1-3, 10-22, Acts 20:18-end, John 15:17-end.
ESOCS Devotional 21 August 2026
