Elijah Escapes…….

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:1-4)

Something had shifted inside this bold prophet. The one who had taunted the enemies of God, wrought righteousness in the darkest of places, and heroically defied the demonic prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 was now afraid, on the run and despairing for life. What had changed? Something caused Elijah to focus on his circumstances (Vs. 3 - “when he saw this…”) rather than on his God. The one who had cried “Seize the prophets of Baal!” now “ran for his life” (Vs.3) and “prayed that he might die” (Vs.4). The greatest temptation for the believer is to take his eye off Jesus and start fixing his gaze on his surroundings, circumstances or experiences.

When God made Adam he gave him the identity of a leader, and Adam saw himself naming God’s creation, and by implication, ruling over it. Once he had sinned, his eye was opened and he started to get an appreciation of his circumstances and [He] saw that [he was] naked (Gen 3:7). When he heard God walking in the garden in the cool of the day he hid himself. God called out to him “Where are you?” (Vs.9) - Adam was now living out of where he was rather than who he was.

Are your circumstances determining your existence, or is the sense of destiny in your identity dictating a higher purpose for your life?