July 15

In 1 Kings 17–18, we meet Elijah—a prophet standing alone in a culture consumed by idolatry and compromise. While the nation bowed to Baal, Elijah remained faithful to the living God. Through drought, daily dependence on ravens and a widow’s jar, and finally the dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel, Elijah shows us what it looks like to stand firm when the world around us shakes.

His courage wasn’t rooted in popularity or comfort—it was rooted in obedience. Elijah simply went where God told him to go and said what God told him to say. At Mount Carmel, while others hesitated between opinions, Elijah declared that the Lord alone is God. And fire from heaven answered.

Psalm 119 reminds us of the foundation that gave Elijah such boldness: the Word of God. Again and again, the psalmist delights in God's commands, clings to His promises, and finds strength in His truth. God’s Word isn’t just a guide—it’s an anchor. When everything else is uncertain, it keeps us grounded in what is eternal.

Jude takes this one step further by warning us to contend for the faith amid deception, division, and spiritual drift. In a world where truth is twisted and conviction is rare, Jude calls believers to build themselves up in the faith, pray in the Spirit, and stay in God’s love. It’s not enough to know truth—we must stand in it and live it with mercy, humility, and holy confidence.

Together, these passages paint a clear picture: God is looking for people who will stand firm in truth, walk humbly with Him, and reflect His light in dark places. Elijah did it on the mountain. The psalmist did it with his pen. Jude calls us to do it in our day.

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