Do you remember those commercials where everything would be great with a couple or family and then disaster would strike, or triplets would arrive? I can’t recall the insurance company they were for but then the spokesperson would say, “Life comes at you fast.” Every time I read this story about Elijah, I am amazed at how quickly the events turned from the bold mockery of 450 false prophets and the flash like super speed, to a man ready to die because he’d had enough. Let’s look at 1 Kings 19 today to see what lessons we can learn to make sure that when life comes at us fast, we are able to withstand its trials!

So, we go from “Maybe your god is in the bathroom to let me die,” in a matter of hours. Why? I am not sure why this threat from Jezebel struck such a fearful blow to Elijah’s confidence, but one thing is certain, it was a real emotional breakdown Elijah was having. Often, I am hard on Elijah here, but that is easy for me because I have never had my life threatened. Well, there was one time, but my buddy Clay took care of that guy. I digress. Here is why I believe Elijah slid into what many will call depression.

1. He thought the battle was over after the victory at Mt Carmel and the rain falling.

   1. He wasn’t prepared for more opposition, and so when Jezebel spouted off, he wasn’t ready to give a spiritual rebuttal, all he was operating in at that moment was his own limitations, not the power of the Lord. We must always be ready, in season and out, as Paul says, to go to battle with the enemy.

2. When he fled, he left his company and went away alone.

   1. We are not meant to do this life alone, especially in seasons of trial and spiritual warfare. We need each other! The first thing the enemy tries to do is separate us from the body of Christ. Sometimes it’s as innocent as a few weekends at the ballpark or picking up the extra overtime, before you know it, it’s been months since you’ve been in a redemptive community, and it Is really showing in your spiritual and emotional state. Then the enemy will “say, oh they don’t want you back.” Lies. Don’t let the enemy keep you from a group of people who love you, support you, and lead you in the love of God.

I love the simplicity of God’s question to Elijah, “what are you doing here?” Elijah answers with a seemingly legitimate pity party, and God responds in two ways. First, God shows both his majesty and his personal nature. The great acts of nature, the windstorm, the earthquake, and the fire, but even though He could be in those things, He was in that still small voice.

We often look for God only in the big things, but He is so close and personal to us, He is often found in the quiet and the small things in our lives. God then gave Elijah a mission and a helper, and God is going to reward those in Israel who never bowed the knee to Baal. That’s a good reminder for us to never bow the knee to anything in our lives other than the King of Kings.

Wow! Talk about recklessly abandoning your life for the call of God. Elisha cut all ties to his former employment and followed Elijah who would be his teacher until the day Elisha takes his place. We could learn a thing or two from Elisha here. When we leave our old lives of sin for the new life that Jesus offers, don’t go back to it again and again. Give it to the Lord and follow!

I love this story and its real time application for our lives.

Be ready in season and out of season for the schemes of the devil.

Stay in fellowship with the body of believers who will love and support you through every season.

We aren’t meant to do this alone!

When God gives you a mission or calls you to service, make that your number one priority!

In our prayer time today, ask God to help you in these areas!