Chapter 302 of 1163

1 KINGS 19

The “Elijah complex” can rob you of power and joy, so beware! Elijah went from victory to defeat because he started walking by sight and not by faith (v. 3). He believed the queen’s words but not God’s word, and he forgot how God had cared for him for three and a half years. Fear replaced faith, and he ran for his life.

He became concerned about saving himself rather than giving himself (Mark 8:34–38; John 12:23–28). Note the sequence: “your life” (v. 2), “his life” (v. 3), “my life” (v. 4). If he had said, “Take my life,” as an act of surrender to God, the Lord would have worked in power; but his “Take my life” was a confession of pride and defeat. Beware when you think you are the only faithful one left!

God taught Elijah that He does not always work in the dramatic big events, such as the contest on Mount Carmel, but that He works by means of a “still small voice,” ministries that are neither big nor loud. Elijah was not forsaken, for God was with him. He was not alone, for seven thousand people had not bowed to Baal. His work would go on, for God had a young man ready to take his place.

We need to obey these words: “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36).

They Wanted to Die!

Sometimes we feel so depressed about our work and ourselves that we wish God would call us home. Of course, had Elijah really wanted to die, Jezebel would have gladly accommodated him. But Elijah was not the only one to feel that way. Moses wanted to die (Num. 11:15), and so did Job (Job 3:20–21), Jeremiah (Jer. 8:3), and Jonah (Jon. 4:3). Of course, this is not the answer to despair because it is selfish and does not glorify God. The real answer is to die to self and trust God to work things out: “The future is your friend when Jesus is your Lord.”

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