Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

Jehovah. He had not elected himself to the position of prophet, for his heavenly Father had appointed him to it. The successful discharging of this great responsibility depended on his main taining a correct relationship to His divine Leader, trusting in Him rather than self.

Elijah Prophesies the Drought

To the prophet Elijah was entrusted the mission of delivering to the godless king a message of judgment. God’s plan called for the work to begin by Elijah’s journeying to Samaria and walking into Ahab’s presence unannounced in order to prophesy: “... there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 1Kings 17:1. Elijah knew the wicked king was a mean-tempered despot who would, without hesitation, execute anyone who displeased him, so he needed great faith to follow God’s specific orders. Eli jah did not hesitate, but obeyed the divine summons explicitly. Because faith was an outstanding feature of Elijah’s life, the Master Architect was able to use him as a valuable worker in carrying out His plans. A description of this faith and the circumstances of his ap pearance before Ahab follows: “The prophet set out at once and traveled night and day until he reached Samaria. At the palace he solicited no admission, nor waited to be formally announced. Clad in the coarse garments usually worn by the prophets of that time, he passed the guards, apparently unnoticed, and stood for a moment before the aston ished king. “Elijah made no apology for his abrupt appearance. A Great er than the ruler of Israel had commissioned him to speak; and, lifting his hand toward heaven, he solemnly affirmed by the liv ing God that the judgments of the Most High were about to fall upon Israel. ‘As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand,’ he declared, ‘there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.’ “It was only by the exercise of strong faith in the unfailing pow er of God’s word that Elijah delivered his message. Had he not