I Kings 19:16–18

Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

______________________

Paul referenced the seven thousand Israelites God mentioned to Elijah (Romans 11:4). In that context, Paul demonstrated that God always has a remnant of people who are faithful to Him. In the original context, God was reminding Elijah he was not alone. In Paul’s epistle, he encouraged the mainly Gentile audience to not think that all Jews had rejected Christ, despite the fact that the church was quickly becoming predominantly Gentile (Apostolic Study Bible, commentary on I Kings 19:18 and Romans 11:5).

Within her autobiography, Children of the Storm, Natasha Vins shares what it was like living in the Soviet Union as a Christian during the 1960s and 1970s. Atheistic indoctrination was integrated into the school curriculum, and Christian children were openly mocked in classrooms. Christian parents’ names were printed in local newspapers so employers would know whom to fire. Children were restricted from attending church, and teenagers were forced to join anti-religion groups. Christians were beaten and killed by neighbors while children were removed from Christian homes.

The persecution of Christians in the USSR was brutal but ineffective. When the Iron Curtain fell, the Soviet Union had more practicing Christians than it did before communism. According to Vanessa, Christianity flourished because communism promised isolation, while Christianity promised belonging.

If you are feeling alone or isolated, remember that you are part of the family of God. You are not serving God alone. That concludes our devotional for today. Let us finish with a word of prayer. 

WORD OF PRAYER

Lord, remind us that we are never truly alone. Just as You preserved a faithful remnant in Elijah's time, You sustain Your followers today. Strengthen our spirits and unite us in Your love, so we may feel the belonging that comes from being part of Your family. Help us to stand firm in faith, no matter the challenges we face. 

In the name of Jesus, amen.