I grew up reading stories of the great prophet, Elijah. He is one of the people in the Bible that God used in mighty ways. As if God’s hand on him were not enough, we also know from the scriptures that God spoke with Elijah. They conversed with each other.
One of the great stories featuring Elijah, is that epic day when God’s power is displayed before the people of Israel and the 850 prophets representing Baal and Asherah. The false prophets cried out all day, dancing and cutting themselves, hoping that their gods would show themselves and consume their sacrifice. There was no way, of course, that this could happen – even with their best efforts because these gods aren’t more than ideas and carved images. But Elijah, the one and only prophet of the LORD God, knows that God is not the creation of man – he is the Creator of man – and all creation for that matter!
You likely know the story. If you don’t, I recommend going back and rereading 1 Kings 18. In a nut shell, God shows up. God consumes the sacrifice entirely, and the 850 false prophets are seized and killed. This incites the rage of one of the most evil people in leadership – Queen Jezebel. She vows to kill Elijah within 24 hours.
Elijah knows God is with him. Elijah has personally witnessed the power of the LORD. Elijah knows that God is not pleased with the evil leadership of King Ahab and his wicked bride. Clearly, Elijah has had a long and emotionally draining day – but this threat of Jezebel’s stirs up something deep within the heart of this servant of God – fear.
1 Kings 19:3, “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life…” Elijah leaves behind his servant. He goes off on his own, finds himself a little shade and prays to the LORD asking Him to take his life. He has had enough. He wants this life to be over.
I love what God does here in chapter 19. The scriptures tell us that God sent Elijah provision for a journey. He sent food and water. He allowed Elijah time to sleep and regain strength. After this, we learn that Elijah traveled for forty days and forty nights until he reached the mountain of God and spends the night in a cave.
Keep in mind that God sees and knows all things. God knows Elijah’s heart for Him. God also knows Elijah believes Him, serves Him, and loves Him. Yet this huge fear seems to be consuming him.
So God speaks to Elijah there on the mountain. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me.” (1 Kings 19:9-10)
Remember the interaction that takes place next? This is when all forms of God’s creation come upon the mountain – the great wind, the earthquake, the fire – and God wasn’t in them – but then came the gentle whisper…
What does God gently whisper to Elijah? The same exact exchange takes place. The conversation from verses 9-10 occurs again! “What are you doing here, Elijah?…”
Why are you afraid, Elijah? Why have you run, Elijah? Have I changed, Elijah? Has my ability to perform miracles been used up, Elijah?
Elijah was afraid because although Elijah knew God, there was still so much that He didn’t know of God. There was still so much he couldn’t see or understand. In his heart, Elijah knew God to be over all things. Elijah’s ears, however heard threats, and his mind began to play them out. My guess is, Elijah took his focus off God’s power and took in the bleak circumstances around him.
I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that I believe many Christian’s today are somewhat in this same boat, do you? I think if we were asked about times that God had intervened on our behalf – even preformed miracles in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones, we would be able to generate multiple examples of this. We have seen God’s hand. We have experienced and benefited from it. Yet we stand in fear. We want to flee. Is it possible that we too, have shifted our focus from God’s power and instead are taking in the bleak circumstances around us?
I guess it is unfair to speak for you. But frankly, I have. I have no problem owning that. There seems to be an almost constant battle for my mind these days. Turn on your TV. Scroll through social media. Listen to the conversations of those around you. Is there any wonder why fear is seeping into our minds, and consuming our thoughts? Corruption is everywhere. Lies are constantly being spewed, and labeled as truth. Culture is embracing evil and even celebrating it. The Word of God is being questioned, and changed to no longer fit God’s definition of righteousness, holiness, and goodness, but rather to be subjective to an individual’s interpretation of it.
Do you ever feel the push of isolation? Alone in your belief? If you do, you are perhaps starting to understand Elijah. He feels alone in his walk with God. “I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me too.”
Like Elijah, however, we aren’t alone. We have a limited perspective of reality. God told Elijah that there were 7,000 others in Israel whose knees had not bowed down to the false prophets in worship. Elijah felt alone. His feelings of loneliness made him afraid and want to die.
Are you there? Are you headed in that direction? In the state that our nation is headed, I cannot help but confess that I have wondered – almost hoped – that God would come and take me, my children, and the rest of my loved ones out of this. That God would take us home – into His presence – where there will be no more sorrow, pain, or this evil.
I was reminded today that I know God. I love God. But I am not able to know or see all that God is doing around me. God is not sitting silently by while our nation deconstructs and while our world sits on edge knowing that their fate will be so drastically impacted by what happens here. God’s followers have been attacked. There has been a battle occurring of good versus evil. This is not a cause for great fear. It may seem that way, but this situation has not surprised God. If it has surprised anyone, it is only mankind who was taken off guard. God knew. Our God knew.
Fear exists when we play the “what if…” game. It is at it’s worst when we feel uncertain of outcomes and feel isolated. God’s people know the outcome. God wins. Those of us who believe in Jesus Christ and have given our hearts and lives to him, know where we will be for all eternity. This is temporary. This is not our home. Our home is with God.
Fear not. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Don’t feed your fear. Feed your faith and fill yourself with God’s words of hope. The Bible is filled with them. Turn off the streams of lies and deceit and turn to the voice of Truth.
Blessings.