Rest For A Weary Soul Daily Devotionals

Rest for A Weary Soul Daily Devotional - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Praise the Lord and Good Evening,

Last night I was thinking about the Prophet Elijah and Queen Jezebel.  Elijah just came out of a massive show of God's power on Mt. Carmel.  A showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, with the Lord working in grand fashion (answering Elijah's prayer for God to consume by fire soaking wet sacrifices, altar and water, enabling Elijah to kill 450 prophets of Baal and letting the King know that the 3 1/2 year drought was over).  King Ahab told the queen about Elijah and all he'd done.  She got angry and sent word through a messenger that basicaly said she was going to make certain he would be a dead man in 24 hours!! .....and with that Elijah slipped into the wilderness and into depression.  Where was the Elijah that defied the phophets of Baal?  Hiding because of words! Sure she was the queen...but he'd just experienced the Lord in a marvelous way.  Where did that moment go?

Ah, who can't relate to feeling the presence of the Lord in a great service?  Seeing the power of God at work in your life, first hand?  Walking away in awe of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He stilled the voices of many naysayers....but wait, Jezebel wasn't there.  She'd only heard about it and it was evident by her response that she wasn't intimidated by the God of Israel or the man of God (Elijah). 

Elijah had just experienced a powerful move of God, only to be told that his life was going to be snuffed out and his actions showed he believed it.  So much so that he ran into the wilderness, hid for 40 days and all the while he's still scared and feeling really sorry for himself.  He mentioned to God how much he'd done for Him and that he is the only true servant left and is now a wanted man by the Queen!! 

This is where I want to camp out tonight.....the Lord had to remind the prophet (the same one who stood among 450 idol-worshippers and demanded and received a show down) that no he's not the only one (7,000 others serving the Lord and not Baal) oh, and there's some more work for him to do (as well as gain the help of Elisha along the way too)....

See, we say a lot...oh, I won't have that problem....okay....let the high of a hot church service wear down....you've been encouraged and uplifted so you can take that encouragement on the road with you....you'll need it.  Part of spiritual growth is to gain knowledge, tools, support, encouragement, faith, hope for use on the road.  It's not like a show where there is a disclaimer of "don't try this at home."  No, don't leave it at the Mt. Carmel moments of your life....use it during those Jezebel moments......at home/work/school/mall/....it doesn't matter where you go, the Word of God works there, too.  So the next time someone speaks a word and it has you reeling, remember you're not the only one, you have more work to do and God will keep you in the process!!  Don't let the threat overshadow the power of God!  Now that is a mouthful...that's why we have to keep God's word fresh in our hearts...

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2) Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. (I Kings 19:1-2)

And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 15) and the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness fo Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16) And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint ot be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shal thou anoint to be propt in thy room. (I Kings 19:15-16 KJV)