Do you ever feel like the lone voice crying in the wilderness? In 1 Kings 19, the bold prophet Elijah despaired that despite his faithful efforts, rampant idolatry prevailed. With wicked queen Jezebel threatening his life after an intense showdown with her false prophets, Elijah fled in fear, feeling alone in the spiritual fight.

Exhausted and afraid for his life, Elijah collapsed under a desert tree, begging God to let him die. Right there, we see a mighty man of God reduced to hopeless tears by isolation and weariness in well-doing. Elijah lamented, “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (v. 10).

In this dark world, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one doing something.  The only one standing for what’s right.  The only one trying to reach the lost.  The only one holding onto the truth of God’s Word.  Even within a group of fellow believers, there’s that whisper in the back of our minds telling us that we seem to be the only one who cares, the only one who’s putting forth any effort. This is especially true for planners and organisers who like to see things done decently and in order rather than thrown together haphazardly at the last minute.

I admit I’ve certainly felt that way. Tired of being mocked as backwards for believing absolute truth exists when “times have changed.” Sick of defending biblical values to eye-rolling peers. “Seems no one else cares about righteousness anymore,” I sigh. “Is spreading hope in the darkness making any difference at all?”

If you’ve felt the same way, take heart, my worn-out friend. We’re not alone. God soon comforted old Elijah in his distress: “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal.”

As the Lord reminded his overwhelmed prophet, multitudes of unsung heroes humbly served Him beyond the spotlight of Elijah’s big public victory. And just like then, faithful fellow warriors surround us (Hebrews 12:1). We just can’t always see them from our angle. But rest assured, saints on their knees abound, holding back evil’s tide through quiet acts of obedience.

So don’t lose heart by measuring your devotion by the visible actions and reactions of others. Some plant, some water, but God controls the harvest in His time (I Cor. 3:7-8). Keep speaking the truth in your corner of the world, friend. Your brave voice and values matter more than you know for now.  But also remember, others are doing the same thing, so take comfort in knowing you’re not alone.