In Victory and Defeat
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-4
"1 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 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."
Observations:
Following one of the greatest spiritual victories ever recorded, the prophet Elijah caught wind that queen Jezebel planned to have him killed and high tailed it out of town afraid for his life. Really? Just yesterday he stood toe to toe with the prophets of Baal and boldly stood his ground despite overwhelming odds. Only a few hours ago he demonstrated incredible faith that few people on earth have ever matched. I mean for crying out loud, God answered his prayer with fire from heaven! What happened? What all of a sudden deflated his confident trust in the One true God? It's not real clear why he was suddenly paralyzed with fear (except that one death threat from the highest power in Israel with the resources and the determination to carry it out asap). But regardless of the circumstance he faced, Elijah should have at least had enough faith not run away like a coward and sink into depression, right?
Application:
We've all been there. We have those moments when God is working in us and through our lives so powerfully that we feel like all things are possible to those who believe. But, we've also had those moments in your relationship with God where you suddenly felt unexplainably alone and spiritually bankrupt. Welcome to the human experience. It is filled with spiritual highs and lows, all of which are filled with a broad range of emotions. However, if we're not careful, we can easily find ourselves more influenced by our feelings than our faith. But the great thing about a relationship with God is that it's not based on feelings but on faith (Romans 5:2). Regardless of whether our circumstances are favorable or not or whether we feel spiritual, it does not negate the reality of our faith. Even in those moments when our faith is weak, it does not define our relationship with Him. Every moment in every circumstance God remains constant and unchanging (Malachi 4:6). For that very reason we know that no matter what we face, God is there unshaken, and we can turn to Him and find the grace we to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16).
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your unchanging and unfailing love that sustains us in every situation. Help us in our momemts of weakness to turn to You in faith and in our times of strength to acknowlege Your power at work in our lives. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
"1 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 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."
Observations:
Following one of the greatest spiritual victories ever recorded, the prophet Elijah caught wind that queen Jezebel planned to have him killed and high tailed it out of town afraid for his life. Really? Just yesterday he stood toe to toe with the prophets of Baal and boldly stood his ground despite overwhelming odds. Only a few hours ago he demonstrated incredible faith that few people on earth have ever matched. I mean for crying out loud, God answered his prayer with fire from heaven! What happened? What all of a sudden deflated his confident trust in the One true God? It's not real clear why he was suddenly paralyzed with fear (except that one death threat from the highest power in Israel with the resources and the determination to carry it out asap). But regardless of the circumstance he faced, Elijah should have at least had enough faith not run away like a coward and sink into depression, right?
Application:
We've all been there. We have those moments when God is working in us and through our lives so powerfully that we feel like all things are possible to those who believe. But, we've also had those moments in your relationship with God where you suddenly felt unexplainably alone and spiritually bankrupt. Welcome to the human experience. It is filled with spiritual highs and lows, all of which are filled with a broad range of emotions. However, if we're not careful, we can easily find ourselves more influenced by our feelings than our faith. But the great thing about a relationship with God is that it's not based on feelings but on faith (Romans 5:2). Regardless of whether our circumstances are favorable or not or whether we feel spiritual, it does not negate the reality of our faith. Even in those moments when our faith is weak, it does not define our relationship with Him. Every moment in every circumstance God remains constant and unchanging (Malachi 4:6). For that very reason we know that no matter what we face, God is there unshaken, and we can turn to Him and find the grace we to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16).
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your unchanging and unfailing love that sustains us in every situation. Help us in our momemts of weakness to turn to You in faith and in our times of strength to acknowlege Your power at work in our lives. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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