“Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, ‘Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life’? But what does the divine response say to him? ‘I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’”
Paul reminds us in Romans 11:2, “God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.” To prove this, he points to the prophet Elijah, who once cried out in despair, believing he was the only faithful servant left. Elijah lived in a time of deep apostasy—Israel’s leaders were consumed with idol worship, and Jezebel sought his life. After one of the greatest displays of God’s power on Mount Carmel, Elijah found himself hiding in a cave, exhausted and discouraged, even wishing for death. He pleaded against Israel, convinced that God’s promises had failed. Yet God’s response was clear: “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal” (Romans 11:4). Elijah was not alone, and God was still keeping His promises.
What Elijah could not see was that God was working behind the scenes. His exhaustion clouded his vision, and God had to restore him with rest and nourishment before reminding him of the truth. In the same way, when we are weary from ministry, overwhelmed by trials, or discouraged by the state of the world, we may feel like we are the only ones standing for Christ. But God always has a remnant. He is faithful to preserve His people, even when we cannot see it. Just as Elijah needed rest to regain perspective, we too must guard times of renewal so that we can clearly see God’s hand at work.
Paul’s point is powerful: God has not abandoned His people, and He never will. Even in seasons of great apostasy, He keeps His promises and preserves a faithful remnant. When discouragement whispers that all is lost, remember Elijah’s lesson—God is working in ways beyond what we can see. The call to action is this: trust His faithfulness, rest in His care, and keep serving Him with confidence. You are not alone, and God is still raising up countless others who have not bowed to the idols of this age. Stand firm, knowing His promises are sure and His people are never cast away.
“Though Elijah thought that religion had entirely perished, yet God declares that He had preserved a remnant. Thus we are taught that however desperate our circumstances may appear, God never suffers His Church to be wholly overthrown.” – John Calvin
surrendered devotions 