A Price Never Too High???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #321

“And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah;

and he girded up his loins,

and ran before Ahab

to the entrance of Jezreel.”  I Kings 18:46

My close friends know I am not prone to be an athletic person and while I do try to walk every day, I have never been prone to run, jump, or do great feats of athletic prowess, and I often tell people I don’t even run to the mailbox on a good day! And that is about my limit; Elijah isn’t noted for his speed, but he is remembered for his commitment to God, and after the encounter with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he literally outruns King Ahab to the city.  Yet the challenge came close on the heels of the victory over the enemies of God; how often we fail to understand the nature of the spiritual warfare that comes with victory –especially great victories!  Satan doesn’t take spiritual success of God’s servants “lying down” (for he would rather “lie up” in defiance of truth and those who love the truth—See John 8:44!).  We must press on dear ones—press on (See Philippians 3:13-15!)

Many people struggle with Elijah’s response, but I find great comfort in this episode in Elijah’s life and God’s response to it.  We don’t have to always be the bold, confident flag waver; sometimes we find ourselves being the one running the “other” way!  Let’s see what God does in, for and to Elijah.  Often God’s ways just amaze me and bring me to rejoice that He loves us and doesn’t condemn our humanity—after all, HE created us humans, as humans, but He won’t leave us in the wallows of defeat for Jesus has won the victory—and in HIM we always have victory, even taking a nap!!!

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done,

and withal how he had slain all the prophets

with the sword.

2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying,

So let the gods do to me,

and more also,

if I make not thy life

as the life of one of them

by to morrow about this time.

3 And when he saw that,

he arose,

and went for his life,

and came to Beersheba,

which belongeth to Judah,

and left his servant there.

4 But he himself went a day’s journey

into the wilderness,

and came and sat down under a juniper tree:

and he requested for himself that he might die;

and said,

It is enough; now, O LORD,

take away my life;

for I am not better than my fathers.

5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree,

behold,

then an angel touched him, and said unto him,

Arise and eat.

6 And he looked, and, behold,

there was a cake baken on the coals,

and a cruse of water at his head.

And he did eat and drink,

and laid him down again.

7 And the angel of the LORD

came again the second time, and touched him,

and said, Arise and eat;

because the journey is too great

for thee.

8 And he arose,

and did eat and drink,

and went in the strength of that meat

forty days and forty nights

unto Horeb

the mount of God.”  I Kings 19:1-8

God knows our journey, even those where we know we have been faithful to do God’s will, and the enemy comes with a vengeance, and we are overcome with weariness!  It’s OK!  Rest, it’s alright to sleep when you need it!  It’s more than alright to be human—we are human!  God knew what Elijah needed, and He even sent the angel to meet his need, not once but twice!  God gave him the food that he needed, some good rest, and then the message to travel on, and he went for forty days and nights in that strength.  God may not call us to go forty days (I do good to go one day at a time), but whatever the call is He will supply our need of sleep, food, fellowship and relationships that make our way more doable!  But the story doesn’t stop there, and what God did for Elijah He will do for us, maybe not in fire and storms, but He will always lead us to that “still small voice” to guide us, and for us who belong to Jesus, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to direct our every step when we will be stop—look—listen for His voice and promptings.  If you’ve never heard that voice you may want to check and see what you think saved you.

“And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there;

and, behold,

the word of the LORD came to him,

and he said unto him,

What doest thou here, Elijah?

10 And he said,

I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts:                       for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant,                thrown down thine altars,                                                                     and slain thy prophets with the sword;

and I, even I only, am left;

and they seek my life, to take it away.

11 And he said,

Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD.

And, behold, the LORD passed by,

and a great and strong wind rent the mountains,

and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD;

but the LORD was not in the wind:

and after the wind an earthquake;

but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire;

but the LORD was not in the fire:

and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it,

that he wrapped his face in his mantle,

and went out,

and stood in the entering in of the cave.

And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said,

What doest thou here, Elijah?

14 And he said, I have been very jealous

for the LORD God of hosts:

because the children of Israel

have forsaken thy covenant,

thrown down thine altars,

and slain thy prophets with the sword;

and I, even I only, am left;

and they seek my life, to take it away.

15 And the LORD said unto him,

Go,

return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus:

and when thou comest,

anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi

shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel:

and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah

shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.”  I Kings 19:9-16

God has a plan, a man (or woman or child) and total provision, direction and success!  Don’t give up!  Don’t give in!  Don’t think you are alone—the only one—remember that God even told Elijah who would be his successor!  Someone is learning from you—be that rested, satisfied and obedient servant—in the victories and in those “the devil-is-chasing-me times”.  He is a defected foe.  Remember, we win!

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished in your brethren

that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion

for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Peter 5:6-11

 May we take Peter’s words as our marching orders!!!  Please, please, don’t let the “father of lies” discourage you!  Resist him and remember, he is a defeated foe—a toothless lion—a loud noise-maker–yet We Win in Jesus!!!  Jesus arose!!!  He’s coming soon!!!  Press on with, for and in Jesus’ resurrection power my friends, Jesus never fails!!!

Amen and Amen!!!