Step Down

 “It is enough; now O, Lord, take away my life . . . “(1 Kings 19:4)

Elijah not only saw but was directly involved when God sent down fire from heaven that consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the dust, and even “licked up the water” around the altar (v. 38) as hundreds of Baal’s prophets watched. When God’s people saw the miracle, they proclaimed, “The Lord, He is God” (v. 39). The same day, Elijah saw God turn one tiny cloud “like a man’s hand” (v. 44), into a deluge of rain, after years of drought. And the same day, he felt the Almighty’s hand of power and strength on him as he ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot back into the city, many miles away (v. 46).

Elijah experienced three extraordinary miracles within one day. Yet, only minutes after his run, he sat under a tree, asking God to take his life. What caused a mighty, faith-filled man of God to change so drastically? Jezebel, King Ahab’s evil wife, was infuriated after hearing of the event-filled day and sent a messenger to Elijah with news that he would die by the next day for killing their pagan prophets. He ran for his life to Beersheba, the Promised Land’s southernmost area, a place of safety. After a day’s journey into the wilderness, Elijah sat under a shade tree, and it was there he told God it was enough; he could do no more for God’s people.

Fear found a foothold as the evil words of Jezebel pierced Elijah’s heart. The weary warrior forgot the power and faithfulness of God; one sentence sent him into a tailspin so severe that he felt useless, helpless, and welcomed death. Elijah continued his one hundred- and fifty-miles trek to Horeb, God’s mountain. Along the way, God supernaturally supplied rest areas, food, and water for His exhausted servant. Upon reaching mount Horeb, Elijah lodged in a cave, and it was there that God asked him, “What are you doing here?” Elijah answered that he was the only prophet left who served God, and all of Israel wanted him dead. God told Elijah that he was not alone in the battle as he thought; there were still thousands of Israelites faithfully serving Him. Some of God’s words that followed are heart-wrenching. He instructed the mighty prophet to anoint Elisha, who would aid him while in training to one day soon take his place as God’s prophet (v. 16).

When fear speaks to your heart, do you embrace its message? Are you weary of the day-to-day battles? Do you feel like you are alone in the struggle? Have you felt like running away? Are you ready for God to take you home; you cannot go any further? Don’t let fear, weariness, or discouragement rule your life or rob you of your God-given calling. God alone is the judge of who and when someone should step aside for another to fulfill their responsibilities. Satan is the father of all lies and a most effective fear-stirrer, so remember: “Ye are of God little children and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).