‘These are the days of Elijah . . .’ says the song and in some ways we can see that in these days of Covid-19. Elijah was a prophet at a time of crisis in his nation. There was a drought that lasted three years. The story of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17: 7-24) shows that people were hard pressed to keep body and soul together. There wasn’t even enough grass to feed the animals. Add to this a government that was actively persecuting those who were faithful to the God of Israel and you have a grim picture of life in the days of Elijah.
There were, however, the usual glimmers of hope. As Paul would proclaim centuries later God has never left Himself without witness (Acts 14: 17) and there were signs of His presence in the lives of those who were faithful to Him. One of those was a man called Obadiah. He could be described as a senior civil servant in the government of King Ahab. (1 Kings 18: 2-4). On the surface he was loyal to the king but go deeper and there was a more pressing loyalty. He is described as a ‘devout believer’ and that meant openness to God and a willingness to live according to His ways. So when Ahab’s queen Jezebel orchestrated a pogrom against the prophets of Israel Obadiah sheltered one hundred in caves and supplied them with food and water.
It is quite astonishing that any man could live with that degree of tension in his life. Maintaining a position of great influence in his nation but always knowing where his ultimate commitment lay. It has to be said, however, that there were limits to his boldness. One day he was confronted by Elijah. The prophet wanted access to Ahab, to speak truth to power, and Obadiah could arrange that. Obadiah was horrified. Ahab had been hunting Elijah well beyond the boundaries of Israel. Anyone who had shown even the least contact with him had been put to death. Obadiah could only see this outcome for himself. But in the end he was persuaded that Elijah was speaking with a Voice that had to be obeyed.
Obadiah’s story shows that in a time of crisis faithful people may well be pushed beyond the limits of their own vision of discipleship. When Elijah called upon him to arrange the meeting with Ahab Obadiah pleaded the exceptional work he had already been doing. He was already putting his life on the line. Wasn’t that enough? Apparently not. Obadiah was in danger of serving to his own satisfaction but in this time of crisis God had more for him to do.
How does this weigh with us in these days of Covid-19? It could be said that so much has been demanded of us but that does not stop the need not only for continuing witness but expanding witness. Openness to the call of God is vital as we meditate on the Word and as we pray. He never leaves Himself without testimony and that means you and me. We may be the Church in exile but we are still the Church and Jesus has promised that we will never lose that dynamism that can only come from His Spirit. Did He not say that the gates of Hell would not stand up to the continuing development of His Church?
I’ve suggested before that perhaps we were too comfortable with ourselves pre-Covid-19. But we want to avoid being too comfortable with ourselves as things stand. We have time for reflection but we should never forget that in Scripture and in the history of the Church profound experiences of God were followed by practical evidence that God is seeking to work through His people to strengthen His Kingdom on earth. Granted we are limited in what can be done at a practical level but we will emerge from these days. As one woman of faith has said, we will meet again. Let’s pray that in that meeting Jesus followers will be better able to tell His story and share His love. Ever open to give more of ourselves to Him and His great project to bring His Kingdom to the earth.
