BBD 08.13.03 Running Away
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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08.13.03
Running Away
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all
the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah,
saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life
as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And when he saw
that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to
Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into
the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that
he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no
better than my fathers!" - 1 Kings 19:1-4.
There is a book called, "It's Not too Late to Run Away and Join the Circus."
When circuses were more numerous and other forms of entertainment and
options were fewer - many people fantasized about escaping their problems by
disappearing with a traveling circus. I am not sure what the modern
alternative would be? Maybe moving to some isolated South Sea island or
disappearing into the mass of population in a large metropolitan area would
be another alternative?
Elijah had just won through the power of God the great contest on Mount
Carmel with the prophets of Baal. Fire from Heaven fell and devoured the
offering, which Elijah made even though it was soaked with water. As a
result the people realized that the God of Elijah was for real and the god
of the false prophets was powerless and therefore a false god. Hundreds of
the false prophets of Baal were executed.
Queen Jezebel whom the false prophets served was more than a little upset
that her prophets had been killed. So, the queen vowed to kill Elijah. It
seems strange that after being at such spiritual heights in the contest at
Mount Carmel that Elijah would react the way he did. It appears that at this
point, the contest had drained him spiritually and he could not face another
confrontation. He knew how evil Jezebel was and no doubt understood that his
death would not come easy if he were captured. So, Elijah just wanted to run
away from this newest problem and that is what he tried to do. He ran away
and told God that he wanted to die.
One important point from this story for all of us would be circus performers
is that even after Elijah ran away God knew exactly to where he had fled.
God not only knew where Elijah was at - He was present and at work to
intervene in Elijah's life to bring about renewal and restoration. We may be
able to temporarily remove ourselves from having to face some problems but
we will never be able to run away from God. Most likely if we are running
away from problems we will discover that we have a new set of problems when
we finally stop running that are just as bad if not worse.
The Bible has some great advice for us when we are facing difficulties. In
Ephesians 6:10-14a we are told, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord
and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand. Stand therefore.." In 1 Corinthians 15:58 we are told, "Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
If Elijah had simply stood his ground, the outcome in a contest with Queen
Jezebel would have been the same as it were for her false prophets. Instead
of running away from our problems, let us be steadfast and make a stand
trusting that God has the power to take us through whatever may come against
us. We may end up in the fiery furnace like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
(Daniel 3) but if we are faithful, we will find as they did that the Lord
Jesus is there in the midst of the fire with us and He will sustain us.
Copyright © 2003. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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