LESSON XVII. Sunday, October 30th, 1910. Elijab Despondent. I Kings 19:1-8.
without food, but that is not His meth- od. Israel had manna from heaven, but they had to gather and eat it. Many a despondent, despairing, dejected saint would be comforted and refreshed if he would but take and eat of the food of the Word. In the strength of the food he went forty days and nights. Forty is the period of probation. In the Word of God We wili find the abundant supply for the full period of our earthly need. God never loses sight of His servants. We may sometimes wander away and disappoint the.Lord; we may be recre- ant to our trust and tired of life; but blessed be our God, He sends His an- gels to minister to our comfort, and to help us. A CHINESE EVANGELIST. THE INTERIOR gives an interesting account of re.vivals in Shantung prov- ince, China, under the preaching of Rev. Ding Lee May. One of the chief char- acteristics of the awakening is prayer. God has wonderfully responded. Pray- er was made at one meeting for 300 inquirers, where it seemed as if not half that number could be hoped for. The 300 were enrolled. Prayer was made for 500 more; they were given. By Saturday in one week 729 gave •their names. The. next week the num- ber reached 1080. And this moved up at last report to over 2000 enrolled as catechumen for doctrinal instruction. Pastor Ding is a man whom it is a joy to know. A man less than 40 years old, he is filled with God's Spirit, and is remarkably gifted in knowledge of the Scripture and in ability to use it. He is a praying man. He holds that in everything we ought to give thanks, even in the mere drinking of a glass of water. When out walking in the afternoon, this man of God is apt at every step to turn to a passer-by and invite him to the evening's service. On reaching a retired spot, he suggests to his companion stopping tor a. word of prayer. What shall we say to that for ' ' a heathen Chinee?" The Gospel " i s the power of God unto salvation" to men of all climes and colors.
This lesson brings out in strong re- lief the contrast between the strength and weakness of the man Elijah. He who stood almost alone before the king and the hundreds of false prophets of Baal, now flees from the presence of a woman. Jezebel is determined upon his death, and she has the courage of her convictions, if she can but lay her hand upon Elijah. The Despair of Elijah. It was a natural re-action from the triumph of Carmel to the trembling in the wilderness. He had deserted his post of duty. He has lost his faith in God and Ipoked upon his mission as a failure. He fled from Jezebel in fear of death and now asks God to put him to death. What a strange contradic- tion! This was the condition into which Moses fell. Num. 11:15; also Job 3: 20-22, and Jeremiah 20:14-18, and Jonah 4:3-8, but God had something better in store for Elijah. He was not to taste of death at all. II Kings 2:11. The Divine Method. God took pity upon Elijah and sent an angel to minister unto him. It is always darkest just before daylight. " The angel of the Lord encampeth about them that fear Him." Psa. 37: 7-10. Peter is released from prison by an angel. Acts 12:7. So God ministered to Daniel. 1:15-19. Instead of aeatti there is sleep; instead of the wrath of Jezebel the loving touch of angelic hands. - The prophet is supplied with supernatural food, but he must arise and eat. God could have sustained him
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