“Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table” 1 KINGS 18:19

The great contest on Mount Carmel, most know the stories of Elijah and Elisha, they fill most of the pages of the Bible books First and Second KINGS. Elijah was particularly gifted with the prayer to call fire down from heaven and did it quite often and in this story he was to have a great contest to prove once and for all that the real God and only God would send fire down from heaven, while the pagan god never answered. And the lowest number against him was four hundred and fifty, could go higher but still a staggering number.

He had to stand often and often he stood alone, well as far as human help goes. Moses stood against all of Egypt and against a Pharaoh whose heart had been hardened by God himself.

Ester had to stand against the law of Persia and knew this stand in her plea to the King may end her life.  And most importantly Jesus stood against the Jews, the Pharisees, the Sadducee, the Sanhedrin, and when He needed his friends the most:

“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and he saith to his disciples  Sit ye here, while I pray. 

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and  began to be sore amazed ( greatly troubled), and to be very heavy (deeply distressed); and saith unto them, My soul IS exceeding SORROWFUL UNTO DEATH; TARRY ( wait) YE HERE, AND WATCH.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said,  Abba, Father, ALL THINGS are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless NOT WHAT I WILL, But  WHAT THOU WILT (your will).

And he cometh and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, Sleepest thou? Couldest thou not (could you not) WATCH ONE HOUR? WATCH YE AND PRAY, lest ye enter into temptation, The spirit  truly IS ready, but the flesh IS weak.

And AGAIN HE WENT AWAY, and prayed and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them ASLEEP AGAIN, (for their eyes were heavy) neither wist (knew) they what to answer him. 

And he cometh the THIRD TIME, and saith unto them  SLEEP ON NOW , and take your rest (are you STILL sleeping and resting?); It is enough (too late) THE HOUR IS COME; behold, the Son of Man is (IS BEING) betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me IS AT HAND (draws near)  MARK 14:32-42

 Three times, He asked if they would just be with Him, just to stand with him and be there for Him, and as we know they did not. The Bible cuts them some slack with the fact that they were tired, their eyes were heavy, but still He had told them before this that the “prince of this world” was coming and hated Him and He stood and He stood alone against all the power hell could muster, as he said it was the “hour of darkness” it was their time to act against Him.  

Sometimes we too must stand without human comradery. I think that is the main reason we are given such details in this story, three times with His heart heavy and breaking and facing a horror so great He could not have possibly imagined it. He KNEW that he was going to die, He KNEW it would be at the hands of the forces of hell unleashed, How does someones mind deal with that?  Remember Jesus came to earth as a HUMAN.

So what are your odds? How many will you have to stand against IF you will stand for truth, justice and the word of God in these last days? I would like to point out a little something right here about my own “stand” I worry so often about the parallel between me and my calling and yet I can go to the word of God and know that I am not “alone” in my heartache.

I love America, I love and respect all who had died for this country and those who sacrifice everyday for our freedom and I detest our enemies and yet I am to bring forth heaping helpings of “woe unto’s” because our leadership and the powers that be have trampled over the word of God and all that WE WERE FOUNDED ON and the America I loved is becoming a memory and a horrifying beast is rising in her place.

We are all at a cross roads now, we have to stand for what is right and be willing to be the one who will speak for the truth, no matter how many speak against us. And I do mean justice in all areas. We are told if we disagree with something and we speak against it that we are intolerant, but the Bible says “to know to do good and do it not, is a sin unto YOU”, when we know that someone is hurting someone else or putting others in danger or that they are being steered down the wrong path it is our moral obligation under God to gently speak to them and to stand for right even when THE WHOLE WORLD says that you are wrong.

The closer we get to the end of it all,or rather the beginning of all that is good, the more we will risk by standing, but those listed above and the countless others not listed were willing to risk it all and we have to be willing also.

We may feel that our friends have forsaken us and that everyone is against but just as the ANGELS came to strengthen Jesus, all of heaven is with you when you stand for Him:  

2 TIMOTHY 4:14-18 Apostle Paul speaking: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be thou ware (you beware of him) also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

At my first answer (defense) NO MAN STOOD WITH ME, BUT ALL MEN FORSOOK ME: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge (pray that they will not be held accountable.)

Notwithstanding THE LORD STOOD WITH ME, AND STRENGTHENED ME; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all Gentiles might hear: and I  was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

And the Lord shall deliver me out of every evil work (all plots against him), and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”

So we see this was quite an ordeal for Paul, being attacked and persecuted and NO ONE, NOT ONE would come to his aid or speak on his behalf BUT God WAS with him.

So stand, even if the lowest odds against you are 450:1, know that for those who are in bondage to be free, for the deaf to hear and the blind to see, no matter how high the odds against you climb, and if all your friends desert you and those who should speak on your behalf refuse to, know this:

PSALM 27:3 “ Though a HOST SHOULD ENCAMP AGAINST ME (army surrounds me): MY HEART SHALL NOT FEAR: THOUGH WAR SHALL RISE AGAINST ME, IN THIS WILL I BE CONFIDENT.”

Be the voice who will speak what everyone else is thinking, often many are against certain ideas and injustices but too many are afraid to say what no one else wants to.

Be strong and stand when everyone chooses to lie down and be walked over.

Stand when all have fallen to their knees bowing to what cannot save.

Stand while others sit at the table of the enemy trying to preserve their own flesh.

Stand and in the day of judgment you will still be able to stand before your Lord and Your King. As he urged the Disciples so does He urges us concerning the last days:

LUKE 21:36 : “WATCH ye therefore, and PRAY always, that YE MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS THAT SHALL COME TO PASS, AND TO STAND BEFORE THE SON OF MAN.”

Φλογιζω Σαλπιζω Rev. Nina BrownJohnson 2016  

Original post date: 05/06/2016 Revisited 07/12/2019  

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