Within hours after an amazing displays of personal faith and God’s miraculous power on Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah had a total meltdown of faith because of an evil woman who said she was going to kill him.
It really was an amazing turnaround.
Shocking, actually.
I Kings 19:3 records these words:
“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life.”
Wow.
How in the world could a divinely inspired prophet who had just witnessed one of scripture’s most dramatic miracles SO quickly collapse in his trust of God?
We’re talking a matter of hours.
I don’t know for certain but perhaps Elijah had a history of harassment by strong women.
Whatever the case, Elijah believed more in Queen Jezebel’s power than he did in God’s power.
Not good.
Lest we criticize Elijah as a spiritual wimp, let’s remember that we’ve all had times when we witnessed God’s sovereign power in a life need we had and then, seemingly, we forgot about it in the twinkling of an eye and our faith caved in.
“Fair weather friend” has been a label that we’ve all worn at one time or another.
We fear losing our job and compromise ethically to not anger the boss who determines if we keep the job. This after that great day at church on Sunday.
We fear becoming single and we go along with a rebellious spouse’s insistence for committing certain sins rather than remember the gracious display of God’s grace in providing us with a great job for which we were underqualified.
Fear compels so much of our sin.
Please, my friend, learn the Bible stories. Recite them over and over so that you never forgot that God is sovereign and forever and everywhere and that He’s never lost in the tug-of-war with scoundrels or scoundresses.
Yes, people are going to run their mouths with blustery threats against us.
Let’s remember, though, that whoever has run to God in faith has never been let down.
Just as Elijah wasn’t let down.
Read I Kings 19-20 and you’ll see what I mean.
As always, I love you
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