🌿BREATHE TRUTH🌿
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness traveling all day.
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” –1 Kings 19:3-5
🌿LIVE THE REAL TRUTH🌿
Ahab marries a Baal-worshipping wife and “he began to bow down in worship of Baal.” (1 Kings 16:31). He also builds a temple and altar for Baal in Samaria, his home. (1 Kings 16:32).
In turn, Elijah has a message for King Ahab: Your party is coming to an end. Because you worship idols and walk away from God, no dew or rain will fall til God says. Faith challenge: Can Baal, the god of rain, break the drought of God?
After Elijah issues God’s proclamation, he hides for three years until God calls him to return. A fiery battle of the ages then takes place on Mt. Carmel. Two sides. Baal priests set up an altar and ask Baal to alight it with fire. Elijah sets up the altar of God and calls on Yahweh.
The God of fire replies: “Flames, shoot down.”
The God of rain replies: “Clouds, appear.”
God wins. The enemy loses. Score 2-0.
But then, Queen Jezebel issues her early birthday gift to Elijah: A death warrant for Elijah’s life.
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Discouraged by people.
After Baal loses the fire and altar contest, God revives the land with rain again. The Lord, He is God! A fire and water spectacular! Unprecedented and unparalleled in publicly positioning God’s power above that of Baal. Surely then, Ahab and his wife would see the truth. Instead, the royal family spurns God’s miracles and seeks Elijah’s assassination. Ministry and Message. Score 0-2. The enemy wins.
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Truth + God = Spiritual Understanding
Truth + No God = Spiritual Blindness
Truth + persistent rejection of God leads to spiritual blindness. We can bring someone to a blazing fire, but we cannot force their eyes to accept its burning reality.
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After hearing of the bounty on his head, Elijah runs for his life….100 miles south to Beersheba. There, Elijah is so discouraged, he pleads God to take his life.
God’s answer: God sends an angel to meet and minister to Elijah. Here is food and water. Eat and rest. You are not going to die here. There’s more, Elijah.
No detail is left forgotten in our wilderness. God provides provisions and empowers encouragement to Elijah. He will do the same for us.
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Deeper into God.
We think we can’t go on. God’s encouragement to us: Not by your capabilities, but by my power.
We think we are useless to God. God’s encouragement to us: Not by your abilities, but by my power.
We think we fail. God’s encouragement to us: Not by your possibilities, but by my power.
Elijah is frightened and frustrated at the twist of events against him. When people turn against us, they are really fighting against God. Don’t take the rejection personally. Instead. Go deeper into God, not man. In Elijah’s greatest depression in the wilderness, God gifts these soul-saving truths to revive Elijah and us.
I am with you.
I see you.
I will see you through this.
I am still God.
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The door to see Ahab and Jezebel submit to God slams in Elijah’s face. Instead, an ugly door of life as a fugitive swings wide open. The reality rips Elijah apart. But we have a God who specializes in opening new doors: Physically and spiritually revitalize yourself, Elijah, for there’s another journey ahead.
In the abyss of our depression, God has not put down the pen on our story. Re-energize and rise up. Fully do the best you can. Fervently work with what you have. Faithfully go where He calls.
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Put the past behind.
Pursue upward.
Push onward.
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Copyright 2019