How did God look upon His suffering servant? Did He forsake him because despondency and despair had seized him? Oh, no. Elijah was prostrated with discouragement. All day had he toiled without food. When he guided the chariot of Ahab, running before it to the gate of the city, he was strong of courage. He had high hopes that Israel as a nation would return to their allegiance to God and be reinstated in His favor. But the reaction which frequently follows elevation of faith and marked and glorious success, was pressing upon Elijah. He was exalted to Pisgah’s top, to be humiliated to the lowliest valley in faith and feeling. But God’s eye was still upon His servant. He loved him no less when he felt brokenhearted and forsaken of God and man than when, in answer to his prayer, fire flashed from heaven illuminating Carmel. {3T 290.3}

Hvordan ser Gud på sin lidende tjener? Svigtede han ham fordi fortvivlelse og modløshed havde grebet ham? Oh nej. Elias var lammet af modløshed. Hele dagen havde han slidt i det uden mad. Da han ledte Akabs vogn, løb foran den til byporten, var han ved stærkt mod. Han havde et stort håb at Israel som et folk ville vende tilbage til deres alliance med Gud og genvinde hans gunst. Men den reaktion som ofte følger med troshøjnelse og god fremgang, betyngede Elias. Han var ophøjet til Pisgas top, til at ydmyges til den nederste dal i tro og følelser. Men Guds øjne var stadig rettet på hans tjener. Han elskede ham ikke mindre selvom han følte sig sønderbrudt og svigtet af Gud og mennesker, skønt ilden, i bønhørelse, lynede fra himlen og oplyste Karmel.