Desperate Times...Desperate Measures

Elijah is one of my favorite relatives in God's family. The reason is because I have learned so much about dealing with my personal human conditions. I would love to be able to say that my own fear has never kept me from standing my ground due to my trust and faith in what Jesus has told us to be true. I wish I had never heard the Holy Spirit emplore me to not run away from my help. But the truth is there have been times in large or small ways I have been just like Elijah. Dramatizing a situation due to false imaginations brought on by an aggressive personality, running away leaving them successful in getting me to focus on my lack of ability to sustain my self and turning my back on a faithful God.

The great thing is that God does not look at us and judge us....He understands. He comes to us lovingly and shows Himself; wooing us into His presence. Showing us all the scary things and saying....look, I am not in those things. But I am right here with you. He told us..I will never leave you nor forsake you. What that says to me is, "remember who I am, and discern who I am not, then stand firm trusting that I will tell you if you should turn away, run, stand or plow forward - Nothing shall in anyway harm you....I AM God and my arm is never too short!"

Thank God for Elijah so that we can know we are not the only one that has had a pity party or two. If you do have one.....be sure to invite God. He has a wonderful way of bringing celebration to any party atmosphere =D


If you have not read 1 Kings 10 and this account of Elijah I suggest you read it - It's awesome and relatable.(I will post it below for your convenience if you do not have time to read it now...come back later)

I pray that we all seek God each moment of every day...especially when we feel others are against us. If we are leaders...and we all are in some compacity, I ask God to show us how to exemplify His qualities toward those running scared.

My love to you all through Jesus we are complete and capable.
Amen

Let's support each other, give wisdom and accept each other as a work in progress...thanking God that He has an army of angels taking charge over things so that we never dash our toe against a stone.

Candace

Giving Up?

I alone am left; and they seek to take my life. —1 Kings 19:10

Have you ever felt like giving up? Elijah did. The Lord had just used him to show the nation of Israel that the Lord is God (1 Kings 18). Yet, the threats of Queen Jezebel so alarmed him that he ran to Beersheba, 100 miles south (19:3). Then he walked another 150 miles south to Horeb, the mountain of God.

Twice God asked Elijah what he was doing there (vv.9,13). Both times he answered with identical words—“I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (vv.10,14). He had become so preoccupied with his own fears that he had forgotten what God had done through him at Mount Carmel. Despite his great victory, Elijah plunged into the depths of discouragement. How easy it is for us to do the same.

God did not accept Elijah’s notice that he was quitting. Instead, He commissioned his tired servant to handle three major tasks (vv.15-17). And by the way, Elijah was wrong when he said he was the only faithful one left. God had 7,000 others who had not bowed to Baal (v.18).

Perhaps, like Elijah, you are despairing at the circumstances in your life. Let God speak to you (v.12). Instead of allowing you to quit, He will show you what you can do through His strength. — C. P. Hia

Our strength and hope is in the Lord—

We rest secure in His sure Word;

And though we’re tempted to despair

We know we’re kept within His care. —D. De Haan

When you’re working for Jesus, it’s always too soon to quit.

1 Kings 10:1-21

1 Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including how he had executed all the prophets. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah. She said, "May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don't take your life the way you took the lives of Baal's prophets." 3 Frightened, Elijah fled to save his life. He came to Beersheba in Judah and left his servant there. 4 Then he traveled through the wilderness for a day. He sat down under a broom plant and wanted to die. "I've had enough now, LORD," he said. "Take my life! I'm no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom plant. An angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." 6 When he looked, he saw near his head some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water. So he ate, drank, and went to sleep again. 7 The angel of the LORD came back and woke him up again. The angel said, "Get up and eat, or your journey will be too much for you." 8 He got up, ate, and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled for 40 days and nights until he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah. He asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10 He answered, "LORD God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises, torn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I'm the only one left, and they're trying to take my life." 11 God said, "Go out and stand in front of the LORD on the mountain." As the LORD was passing by, a fierce wind tore mountains and shattered rocks ahead of the LORD. But the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the LORD wasn't in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was a fire. But the LORD wasn't in the fire. And after the fire there was a quiet, whispering voice. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then the voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He answered, "LORD God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises, torn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I'm the only one left, and they're trying to take my life." 15 The LORD told him, "Go back to the wilderness near Damascus, the same way you came. When you get there, anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel. And anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah as prophet to take your place. 17 If anyone escapes from Hazael's sword, Jehu will kill him. And if anyone escapes from Jehu's sword, Elisha will kill him. 18 But I still have 7,000 people in Israel whose knees have not knelt to worship Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." 19 Elijah found Elisha, son of Shaphat. Elisha was plowing behind 12 pairs of oxen. He was using the twelfth pair. Elijah took off his coat and put it on Elisha. 20 So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye. Then I will follow you." "Go back," Elijah answered him. "I'm not stopping you." 21 Elisha left him, took two oxen, and butchered them. He boiled the meat, using the oxen's yoke [for firewood]. He gave the meat to the people to eat. Then he left to follow and assist Elijah.


GOD'S WORD is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission. (God's Word Translation)