This week: 1 Kings 19
Today, focus your attention on verses 1 - 8
It is so incredibly easy to watch another persons foolish behavior and identify it. Much easier to identify in others than in ourselves, wouldn't you agree? We find it hard to believe that Jezebel completely ignores the obvious - is in total denial of reality. How could this smart woman be so stupid? King Ahab reports to her the incredible events that have happened on Mount Carmel - the undeniable preeminence of Jehovah and the impotence of Baal. The people of Israel have fallen on their knees as they acknowledged that Jehovah is indeed God. The atmosphere is ripe for revival. And the queen? There is no hint of revival in her heart. God has sent a visual wake-up call to His people ... and instead of responding, she pushes harder in the opposite direction. She is so enraged that her control was challenged that she puts a "hit" out for Elijah. I suspect she had no shortage of men willing to carry out the sentence for their queen.
On a much less dramatic level (and that is understatement at it finest!), why do you think we get so bent out of shape when our own personal agendas are threatened? We can be completely blinded to reality and to the better choice when our personal 'wants' scream so loudly in our heads. Perhaps that is why God tells us to "be still" if we want to hear Him. Never shy away from passion ... but be wary of agenda-driven passion!
And Elijah - what happens to our protagonist? This is the same Elijah that told the widow of Zarephath "Don't be afraid" when she was facing starvation and death (1 Kings 17:13). This is the same Elijah that has just confronted 450 prophets of Baal, soundly defeated them in the bizarre competition on Mount Carmel, and seen to their execution. This is the same Elijah that has courageously faced the King of the land on numerous occasions. But today - we find him scared!
A couple of observations about fear. It comes when we are emotionally spent. And Elijah is. He has poured himself out on Mount Carmel - hours of intensity against the Baal prophets. He knows, on a deeper level than anyone else, the enormity of what is happening. He knows what is at risk. Add to that the relief of the rain! I suspect the description of a "limp rag" is not far from the reality for Elijah. It is wise to know when your emotions are raw - when you have given of yourself and are drained dry. Know yourself well enough to know when you are nearing the end of the emotional rope so you can take care of yourself.
Fear can creep in when we are physically spent. And Elijah is. He has traveled on foot from Sidon back to Samaria and climbed Mt. Carmel. He has spent the day on the mountain in confrontation with the priests of Baal. He has RUN before the chariot of the King back to Jezreel. The man had to be incredibly tired. Again, it is wise to know your physical limits. Know when your reaching the end of your physical strength and endurance. Know it so you can take care of yourself.
Another interesting fact about fear - it turns you totally into "self". You can see nothing else. It happened to Elijah. He became so self-absorbed that all he could see was himself, not God. And depression took hold. Ever been there? Tired and afraid ... depression then slips in and you just want to quit. Take heart, my friend, you do not have to stay there.
Elijah needed rest. He needed sleep, water and food. God knew. God provided. God did not scold or reprimand or chastise. God took care of the needs of His exhausted prophet. And He will take care of you.
Practical advise for today? Take care of yourself. When you are tired ... why not try resting? Not more caffeine ... rest. Not more sugar ... rest. (I am speaking to myself here!) Several years ago I heard one of our country's female astronauts give a speech in Houston. She told about trying to keep an impossibly busy schedule, pushing herself because she felt that she needed to, and could. She pushed herself until, in her words, "One morning I couldn't move. I physically could not move. It was as if my body was saying to me, 'Girl, you can go if you want, but I'm not going!'" And she learned to take care of herself. Having a calendar so packed that there is not a moment for rest, for wise eating, for quiet - does not make you important. It actually makes you foolish! Let's learn from Elijah.
God takes care of Elijah physically ... and we watch our prophet set out for Horeb to the "mountain of God". That is Mount Sinai. God has more business to do from this mountain ... see what He does in the next few verses, and we will talk about it next time.
Want to shine? Take care of yourself so that you can allow the light of God to shine through you. An exhausted vessel is like a dull lamp bulb - you just can't see true brightness through it!
I don't want to be like that ...
No comments:
Post a Comment