Bible Study

Just for your thoughts:
Bible Study 31:
The Remnant – People Who Fulfill God's Purpose
1 Kings 19:18
“The remnant may be small. But God accomplishes His great purpose through them.”
The truth that “those who remain (the remnant) are the ones who fulfill God’s purpose” is powerfully revealed in 1 Kings 19:18. The remnant may be few, but God chooses them to accomplish His mighty works.
Throughout every era in the Bible, God has done great things through this preserved group—the remnant. The word “remnant” appears in the Bible approximately 87 to 100 times, showing us a consistent pattern in God’s work: He does not always choose the majority, but rather those few individuals who remain faithful to Him. Through these people, God fulfills His plans.
The Same Truth in Church History
Church history also reflects this same principle. In every generation, the church has been sustained and kept alive by the remnant—those who remained passionate and faithful to God.
In the dark ages of spiritual decline, during times of persecution and doctrinal corruption, and when Christianity seemed to be on the brink of extinction—even then—God preserved a faithful few. These are the people who have kept the church alive to this day.
In the eyes of the world—even within Christian circles—they may appear to be a minority. But in God’s eyes, they are the true majority. They do not always appear as an organized group; rather, they are often scattered individuals who stand strong in their faith wherever they are.
The Time of Elijah – A Powerful Example
The time of Elijah was one of great darkness and danger for the nation of Israel. Under the oppression of Jezebel, Baal worship and idolatry were forced upon the people. God's prophets were murdered, and faithful believers were hunted down, forcing them to hide in forests and mountains.
Even the powerful prophet Elijah, who was used mightily by God, reached a point where he said, “I alone am left.” But God answered him:
“Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
— 1 Kings 19:18
These 7,000 were not known to Elijah. The Bible does not mention that he met them or encouraged them. They remained faithful in their own places, without human leadership, acknowledging only God as their leader. They lived righteously, and through them, God’s purpose was fulfilled. And God protected them.
The Remnant in Our Time
Today, we see similar issues in churches: disorder, personality-centered worship, false teachings, and leadership confusion. In the midst of all this, there still exists a passionate remnant who stand firmly for God. They serve God faithfully and uprightly in their ministries.
These are today’s remnants.
Thousands of such individuals exist even in Tamil Nadu. Without being known to church leaders or pastors, they are participating in God’s great purposes. Because of them, Christianity is still alive and active.
Our Responsibility
To Elijah, who proudly declared, “I alone am left,” God responded:

“Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
— 1 Kings 19:18
This verse is relevant to every generation.
We are called to pray that the number of such God-preserved individuals will continue to grow.
Conclusion
God’s purposes are not fulfilled by the crowd's greatness but by the remnant's faithfulness. They may be few, but in God's eyes, they are mighty. They uphold the Kingdom of God through their service, faith, and way of life.

Ezekiel Shanmugavel