Unaccounted rivalry: Elijah vs Ahab’s horses..

“We all possess different weaknesses and strengths, but what often troubles us is the strength of others. We tend to focus on what others have, rather than recognizing and appreciating our own gifts. And We often hesitate to compete with others out of fear of failure. However, if we have faith in God, we can confront even the mightiest opponents and those seemingly destined for success.

Let us look at a story from the Bible, the race between King Ahab’s horses and the man of God, Elijah. This event took place during a severe famine, a time when King Ahab was more concerned about his horses than his suffering subjects (1 Kings 18:5). He was determined to find food for his horses, seeking ways to enhance their performance and excel. Meanwhile, Elijah, the man of God, was in hiding, sustained by God’s provision, so that he could end the famine with his words.

As mentioned in Matthew 18:18, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” It was Elijah’s words that had caused the rain to cease, and it would be his words that would bring rain again and end the famine.

God faithfully provided for his servant Elijah. Ravens brought him bread and meat every morning and evening. Elijah ate this food, fully aware of his own limitations and recognizing that his strength did not lie in speed. He understood his weaknesses but also believed in the power of his God.

Isaiah 40:29 reminds us that God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. The God of Israel lifts up the weak to shame the strong, raises the poor to shame the rich, and strengthens feeble hands and legs. Both competitors prepared for the race, one with four legs and the other with only two. Horses are known for the strength it posseses on their legs.

On the decisive day, King Ahab’s horses took an early lead, leaving the poor man behind, feeling hopeless and helpless. But suddenly, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon Elijah, just as it had empowered Samson to defeat thousands of enemies with the jawbone of a donkey. Elijah felt the strength surge through his body, and he tucked his cloak to run. Onlookers in the town must have strained their necks to witness the astonishing sight of a man defeating King Ahab and his chariot, pulled by multiple horses.

Similarly, we face situations in life where it may seem foolish to compete and compare ourselves to others. However, we must remember who sustains us. Let the horses be fed with dried grass, while we maintain our faith in God, the master and creator who knows our weaknesses and strengths. He will make us victorious, but this can only be achieved through prayer. Elijah prayed with his face between his knees (1 Kings 18:42). When the time came, his knees were stronger than ever, and his legs were faster than ever.

If we run while looking at God and believing in Him, we will be able to walk tirelessly. After these events, Queen Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, threatened Elijah. Frightened, he began to run away, but this time his legs started to give up. They did not respond to his will. Exhausted, the legs that had once defeated horses were failing him. Why?

Because this time, he was running out of fear, constantly looking back. His faith in God had diminished, and he even desired death. However, God, who never forsakes His servants, provided heavenly food through angels (1 Kings 19:5). While the horses received only grass, supplied by cursing servants of Ahab who themselves had nothing to eat, Elijah consumed a different

kind of food—food that differed in quantity and quality. He received it first from ravens, then from a widow, and now from an angel. Strengthened once again and having renewed his faith in God, he walked for forty days and nights without rest.

Remember, putting your trust in God is the only way to keep moving forward continuously. He is a faithful God who looks after His children. As stated in 1 Kings 19:18, God reserves those whose knees have not bowed to any idols. These idols can manifest in our minds, corrupting our faith in God.

In the end, the horses were rewarded with the blood of their master. Ahab was killed in battle, and his blood stained the chariot (1 Kings 21:35). Queen Jezebel’s blood splattered the horses as they trampled over her (2 Kings 9:33). That was their reward. However, a chariot of fire came to take Elijah to heaven, truly rewarding his feet.

As St. Paul declared in 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Run your own race, staying committed to your faith, no matter what obstacles come your way. Believe in God, and He will help you run faster, make history, and overcome your enemies. Do not worry about your weaknesses, for the Almighty God knows them. He polishes you in times of darkness so that you may shine when exposed to the light. There is a place for you, a place reserved for those polished in the Quiver of God.