Devotional - May 7, 2025
Scripture: 1 Kings 19: 1-4 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness.
Retreat. No sooner had Elijah prevailed over the prophets of Baal, he got word from Jezebel. When Elijah was hiding out, he was safe, but now they knew where to find him. Jezebel was actively pursuing and ridding the world of the prophets of Israel (1 Kings 18:4). Now she focused all her attention on one. The situation changed, but how? God did not change. Jezebel was still Jezebel, but Elijah changed. His bold bravado drained away at the words of Jezebel and he was on the run. Many may judge Elijah for not standing strong in the face of her threat, but we all have our weak points. We all get overwhelmed and would do well to take a few pointers from Elijah. He knows he is not doing well both within and outside himself, so he runs to the mountain of God, Mt Horeb. In our world filled with NO FEAR decals, energy drinks, and aggressive behavior, we forget... We are human. We would do well to listen to ourselves when fear wells up within us. It may be telling us something important. When we get tired or overwhelmed, ...step back, retreat, recharge, and revive your spirit. Take time and be open to God's Spirit moving in your situation and soul. Who do we think we are that we do not need times of retreat? Do we think we are a god? When it says Elijah was afraid, it means he looked around at the situation and knew it was time to flee. Did he have to? Were their other options? In a perfect world, maybe, but not for him. Not where he was in his heart, at the time. Anyone can criticize another's actions by playing armchair quarter-back from their comfy living room. Ignore them. Sometimes it takes a few retreats to get the right perspective and stay in the game, or decide it is time to find a new game. Jesus would often go off by Himself, away from the disciples, and pray. When you do this, you can focus your attention solely on the situation at hand. Or you can put everything behind you and just be. You can do this for an hour, a day, or a week. You can switch back and forth between the two approaches if you like. You can talk extensively with God about it or simply be silent. Whatever you do, it's good for you. Resting with God is time well spent (Mt 11:28, Isaiah 30:15, Ps 91:1). Do not let your pride get the best of you (Proverbs 16:18) and your life.
Pray with me ..., Holy God, how blessed we are that we can find rest in You. Teach us the ways of peace. Hear us, as we pray for our loved ones, as we ask for Your blessing upon them. Hear us, as we ask Your blessing upon our church. Bless us, so we can bless others, in Jesus' name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
