“Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
1 Kings 19:18 (NLT)
The above verse captures a powerful moment when God reassures the prophet Elijah, who, after fleeing for his life, believed he was the only faithful servant left. However, God reveals that 7,000 others in Israel have remained steadfast, refusing to worship Baal. This revelation must have been shocking to Elijah, as he had assumed that he alone stood against the tide of corruption.
Our contemporary society is experiencing an unprecedented shift from morality toward unchecked wickedness, often without remorse. People we once considered beyond reproach are now embracing lawlessness, leading to a fundamental crisis in how truth is understood and interpreted.
Yet, even in the midst of this moral decay, there are still those who stand firm—those who reject the corruption around them and uphold integrity. They do not seek approval from the masses, nor do they compromise their convictions. Instead, they recognise the power of decency and conscience in the face of rampant immorality.
This reminds us that God alone knows who truly belongs to Him. Just as Elijah, in his human limitation, could not see beyond his own experience, so too are we incapable of fully grasping the hidden faithfulness of others. What may seem like complete spiritual decline may, in reality, conceal a faithful remnant that God Himself has preserved.
This also brings to light a crucial lesson on trust. Placing trust in individuals, institutions, or movements without discernment can lead to deep disappointment. Many have been deceived by those they believed to be righteous, only to realise that their trust was misplaced. This is why it is essential to anchor our trust in God, who alone is unchanging and fully trustworthy.
The bottom line is this: in a world where truth is often compromised and morality is increasingly blurred, discernment is more necessary than ever. Trust must be given wisely, and faith must remain unshaken. Though we may feel alone in our convictions at times, we must remember Elijah’s lesson—God always preserves a remnant.
Ehiyeh-Sh’Ehiyeh 