MESSAGES
The Fear (1 Kings 19:3)
1 Kings 19:3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
In this text, we come across the prophet Elijah going through another tremendous experience with God. Elijah had just experienced a glorious moment on Mount Carmel, where, under God's authority, he defeated 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. A resounding victory that culminated in the destruction of those 850 false prophets.
However, upon hearing this, Jezebel, King Ahab's wife and a worshiper of those gods, was filled with hatred and promised that Elijah would meet the same end as her priests. The threat was clear: by the next day, Elijah would be dead.
When this news reached the prophet's ears, he fled to save his own life.
» The Prophet's Humanity: Fear and Exhaustion
It is very interesting and comforting to note that the verse makes a point of recording that Elijah was afraid. Think about it: a man who had just seen fire fall from heaven in response to his prayer, consuming the burnt offering in a totally supernatural work, was still overcome by fear.
This reminds us of a fundamental truth: fear is a human feeling. We all feel fear at some point, especially when facing threats and bad things.
Being afraid is not a sign of a lack of faith; a lack of faith is letting it control you.
During that desperate escape, Elijah entered a state of deep exhaustion and possibly depression. The weight of the journey, the physical and mental fatigue brought him down so much that he lay down under a tree and asked God to take his life.
» Provision in the Desert and the Voice on the Mountain
Maybe you, who are reading this message right now, feel exactly like that. Tired of daily struggles, exhausted by the circumstances around you, discouraged when looking at the prospects for the future. But look at what God did with Elijah, because it's the exact same thing He wants to do for you today!
God didn't grant Elijah's request to die. Instead, He sent an angel while the prophet was sleeping. The angel woke him up, brought him baked bread and water, and ordered him to eat well, because the journey would be long.
Strengthened by that food given by God, Elijah walked 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God — the same place where the Lord had revealed Himself to Moses.
Upon arriving there, Elijah hid in a cave. But the Lord confronted him with a life-changing question: What are you doing here, Elijah? Go out and stand before the Lord.
1 Kings 19:9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah?
Then came a great and strong wind that tore the mountains, then an earthquake, and then a fire. But the Lord was not in any of those things. Finally, came the sound of a low whisper. It was there, in the gentleness, that God spoke to the prophet's heart.
1 Kings 19:
12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.
13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah?
» God Is in Control of Everything
Elijah tried to justify himself, saying he had been very zealous for the Lord, that everyone had forsaken the covenant, and that he was the only one left — and now they wanted to kill him. But God, with His infinite wisdom, corrected the distorted view that fear had caused in the prophet, revealing that there were still 7,000 men in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal.
Brothers and sisters, often our struggle seems gigantic. Despair tries to shrink us, make us keep our heads down, sad and bitter inside an "emotional cave", thinking the only way out is to give up and throw it all away.
But our God is much bigger than any battle! Nothing is out of God's control. Everything is under His sovereignty and will remain so until the last day of our lives.
Then, God gave him new orders: Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. (1 Kings 19:15). The Lord told him to anoint two new kings and then anoint Elisha as his successor. There was a purpose, there was a future, there was a mission.
» Get Up and Move Forward
The Lord still has great plans for your life. Our last day belongs to Him, and as long as we breathe in this world, we are here to fulfill His will and remain standing. Even if the struggle seems insurmountable, God is by your side, taking care of you and guiding your steps.
Motivate yourself today! Get out of that cave. The great things God has planned for you are yet to come. He allowed you to get this far so you could have the revelation that everything you are experiencing is, and has always been, under His absolute control.
Your life is in the Lord's hands. Every tear, every fear, and every anguish are being watched and handled by God. Believe this, get up, and move forward, because a great work will still manifest through your life!
