Feed Your FaithSample

1 Kings 19:1-5

1 Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 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 went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

Empty Threats

The greatest attacks often come right after the greatest victories. In this story, Elijah had just had one of the greatest victories of his ministry. In 1 Kings 18, it shows that Elijah had come face to face with the prophets of Baal, and God had shown up in a mighty way. Immediately after, Jezebel sends Elijah a death threat. When you look at this story, you see that Jezebel didn't show up to kill Elijah herself - she sent a messenger to deliver a threat. 

In our lives, we're inundated with messengers - the news, peers, etc. The enemy knows how to strategically send messengers of fear, doubt, and hopelessness that can make the threat of trouble feel overwhelming, usually right after you take a step towards God. The enemy's goal is to threaten you with his messengers so you will give up on what God wants to do in your life.

It's important who and what you listen to because you will draw conclusions about your future based on the voices that you allow in your life. Jezebel didn't have the authority to take Elijah out; all she had was the message. She evoked fear in Elijah and used it to cause him to take himself out. No matter what messengers are saying, believe God's word over your life and reject everything else. 

You are chosen by God, and He is working on your behalf. Don't let the enemy's messengers get you to stop running after God's call.