We all know have read, preached, listened to the scriptures about the life of Elijah. I even preached about him as recently as a week ago. Last night at church the minister made a point that I had not thought about. It is right there in front of us!
Elijah was a great man of God. He performed miracle after miracle. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is when Elijah calls fire down from heaven. What a sight that must have been! How strong his faith must have been when God proved who was the true God through him. Then shortly after that he receives a threat against his life from Jezebel. What does he do? He flees.
I am going to list some scriptures. See if you can see a trend develop.
1 Kings 17
2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
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7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
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1 Kings 18
1 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.
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Do you see it? Everywhere Elijah went God sent him! God says, "Go" or "Leave here". When Elijah listened to him, God always supernaturally provided for him. A miracle always took place when God sent him. Now read this scripture and see what you notice....
1 Kings 19
2 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.”
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness.
What is missing from verse 3? God did not say, "Go" or "Leave here"!! What could have happened? What would have happened? What should have happened? What was going to happen if Elijah didnt take matters into his own hands?
How often do we take matters into our own hands and miss our miracle? Why do we become fearful after God has delivered us time and time again? Stand still, wait on the word of the Lord! When God says to go or to leave then you do it, but not until then! When we are faced with a trial or life places a life changing decision in front of us......wait on God. It will be worth it and you will eliminate a lot of messes in your life.
God was not finished with Elijah and provided for him in the wilderness. God is not finished with you and he will provide for you. Even after bad decisions.
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