Faith Over Fear

I have often wondered how Elijah could have been so afraid of what Jezebel said, (“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 to morrow about this time.” 1 Kings 19:2) after he had just seen such a tremendous victory…and yet here I am.  I can’t say I’ve seen the huge miracle that Elijah did in calling fire from heaven to burn water buried stones, but, we are seeing blessings of God as we’re ready to charter our 2^nd church in less than 3 years since we came off deputation.  Folks are coming to church, a church in Florida sent a mission’s team here to help us, US!  So, Satan is calling out the big guns…the IRS! 

The IRS. They have taken us through the wringer before and about bankrupted us…and we did nothing wrong – they decided to disallow any and all of our write-offs, they levied our bank accounts, and put a lien on our property; but when it was all said and done, they not only verified and approved our write-offs, they gave us an additional refund- above what they levied and placed as a lien, but it was a horrible experience.  

Well, a couple months ago they sent us a “bill” for $22,000 stating that our income was greater than originally stated on our taxes.  When I contacted the accountant that prepared our taxes regarding the “bill” they immediately knew what happened, an error had been made and they sent a correction that somehow the IRS took to be additional income rather than a corrected income.  The accountant knew exactly what the problem was, and immediately sent the correction (again) to the IRS.  We never heard another word, so we thought it was taken care of.  WRONG!  We found a pink slip from the Post Office on our door that showed they attempted to leave us 2 certified letters from the IRS, and that we could pick them up…the letters required a signature.  So, being the studious, and curious, and impatient person that I am, I looked up the reasons the IRS would send a certified letter, and as I suspected, it is never good news! 

So, what does that have to do with Elijah?  Well, after seeing great victories, he heard bad news that caused him to run, to want to give up, to feel lonely, and defeated…that’s where I am right now.  I have prayed a zillion times, I do have faith, I know that God can do anything, I know this is not the end of the world…and yet, I am tired, I don’t want the trial and I am crying as I type this because I really just want sunshine and roses, and a smooth and clear path, full well knowing that is not always what is best.  God knows what is best, and He has an answer for this situation all worked out, and I know this – I just feel too tired to have to endure it right now – Father, forgive me. 

Right now, I am going to retreat to my Bible and beg God to help me through my ridiculous weakness that I know is just that, my weakness…I’ll finish here after He ministers to me…

So, you know what I found?  After Jezebel made her threat that she would make sure that Elijah would be killed within 24 hours…nothing happened!  Her words were just that…words!  Elijah was worn out, discouraged, and afraid because Jezebel had been killing prophets, so it does make sense that he would feel not just fear, but discouraged in the fact that even though God had used him to rain fire from heaven, and cause it to finally rain again after 3 years, he was just a man, and he didn’t see that his work for God had made a difference. 

When Elijah ran away and asked God to let him die, God sent an angel to minister to him.  The angel fed him and made sure he had strength for his coming journey.  He traveled 40 days and met with God.  God asked him what he was doing there, and Elijah answered him – and God showed him a great wind, an earthquake, but that is not where God was – God was His Word, that still small voice.  At that point, God once again asked Elijah what he was doing there, and Elijah repeated himself, giving God the same answer. “And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

9 ¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

10  And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for 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.

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

14  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 of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.

God didn’t comfort him by telling him He’d protect him from Jezebel, God gave him his next assignment!  In fact, after this God used him to “torment” (teach) Ahab, about his wickedness…Elijah was right back in the same place where Jezebel was, and he boldly proclaimed God’s warning to Ahab and there is no mention of anyone trying to kill him!  Jezebel was a wicked woman with a lot of power, but she was no match for God!  Elijah did begin training his replacement, but God still used him for many years, and he outlived Ahab and kings that followed him! 

What I am seeing is that just because I am freaked out about receiving an IRS letter doesn’t change one thing about what God has planned for me, what He wants us to do, or how things will end.  Jezebel was just like Proverbs 25:14: “Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”  She was clouds in Elijah’s life that day, but no rain.  So, today the IRS is looking like pretty ominous clouds, but that doesn’t mean that the rain is coming – and if they do bring rain, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him."  Proverbs 28:7

And with that said, I do feel better now. Thank you, Lord.  I love you.

This is very personal to me, something I kept memory of for my own records, but with the current unusual situation that is clearly garnering a lot of fear and insecurity in the unknown, I thought I would share this with you today.  It is my prayer that this will be a help and a source of encouragement to you.  I do love you and most especially so does God!

Have a wonderful day!