Facing Fear

Read 1 Kings 17-19
 
1 Kings 19:1-3 When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.
 
ELIJAH has been on a deliberate, formative faith journey toward a powerfully intimate relationship with the LORD God. I certainly hope you’ve taken a few minutes to read 1 Kings 17-19. Only the ministries of Jesus and Elisha re more powerful and personal than Elijah’s. “Elijah” means “Yahweh is my God.” Or you could say, “All who God is, is my God.” He came from Gilead, east of the Jordan River to enter Samaria to confront the pagan Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Elijah is the model prophet into which John the Baptist will be formed. Elijah, too, came to Jesus’ glory at Jesus’ Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3) These three chapters record most of his prophetic work. There are six ways God empowered Elijah to demonstrate, “Yahweh is my God.”
    In 1 Kings 18, you read how the LORD gave to Elijah a great victory over the Baal worship that was destroying Israel. Victory was the LORD’s through Elijah’s hands! Jezebel was furious her prophets were dead and promises to annihilate Elijah. What does the victorious, God-empowered prophet do? He retreats. What’s happened? How can a man so powerfully anointed to do God’s work want to quit his work so quickly? Has Elijah suddenly lost his faith in God?
   The man who God had anointed to have even resurrection power, was suddenly overwhelmed with in his humanity. As all of us do, even this miracle-working prophet minimized God’s life-giving presence. Perhaps Elijah thought the Lord had depleted his ability to protect him. Maybe Elijah was emotionally tired from the stress of battle. Likely, he was just plain afraid of Jezebel’s passionate promise to kill him. The threats came directly from Israel’s throne. Who could stop the hateful Jezebel? Elijah stared too intently into the evil menace. And he ran.
   Uncertainties and threats in our own lives quickly disturb our peace and faith. We cast doubt toward God, wondering, “Are you there, LORD? Will you be there tomorrow, LORD? I know you said you’d stand by me, but will you really, God? Can I truly put my faith in you?” When things go wrong, our human eyes too often point us the wrong direction.
   What threatens you today? If you have struggled for some time with an issue, gaze even more intently toward the Lord. Seek his face. Get close to him. Pray with a good friend. Find good recordings of the Bible and listen to the spoken Word. Listen to Christ-centered music.
   Learn from Elijah and see God, the Comforter, restore his tired prophet. Read through chapter 19. You will discover, as Elijah did, God’s tender care. El Shaddai transformed Elijah’s tired faith to vigor and strength once more. Then later, God even did this: 2 Kings 2:11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.
   This is for you, too. Be strengthened. Be steadfast in the sure hope of eternal life.