Empowered

1 Kings 18:41-46 (ESV)
 
And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
 
 
Reflection
 
The prophet Elijah performed many amazing miracles because God was with him throughout his life. From raising a widow’s son from death to ravens feeding him with bread and meat so he could survive in the wilderness, these are just a few stories we read about in the Bible. With these remarkable stories as part of Elijah’s life, you would think he had all the confidence in the world to take on any foe. However, we don’t necessarily see that. He had some great highs, where he challenged the 400 prophets of Baal and defeated them (1 Kings 18:20), but this feat was immediately followed by Elijah fearing for his life for what he did and asking God that he might die (1 Kings 19:4).

The above scripture details the moment after the big victory over the false prophets of Baal. Elijah still needed God to bring rain because of the drought, so he finds seclusion on top of a mountain where he could pray and seek God. Elijah prays repeatedly, telling his servant to keep checking until he sees rain forming over the sea. Once this happens, King Ahab flees and returns to the kingdom, but Elijah supernaturally runs 16 miles down the mountain on foot arriving before the king in his chariot! This was just one more miraculous sign to King Ahab that the Lord was the only true God.

This story reminds us that although Elijah was empowered by God, he still struggled with worry and doubt. He was so fearful from the threat of Jezebel’s plan to kill him, that once he arrived down the mountain, he ran for his life. He fled to the wilderness and asked God to take his life. It is easy for us to criticize Elijah’s actions in the wilderness, but we all recognize the force of our human emotions. Elijah was a great prophet but he also questioned his calling and whether God was really with him.

There are times in our own lives when we feel God is with us and we have boldness to speak His truth to everyone with whom we interact. At other times, we can lack confidence, struggle with our emotions, or feel like God is not with us at all. When this happens, we must refocus on who God is and what Jesus did for us. Take that time to reconnect with God today.

 
Action step

Elijah knew God’s power and that He would end the drought in time, but he still sought God before it began to rain. Elijah prayed repeatedly, watching for the small cloud form over the sea. What areas are you waiting for God to move in your life? Have you prayed consistently for Him to move in your situation?

Prayer
 
Heavenly Father, help me when I struggle with my emotions. Remind me of the times that I have needed You to move in my life and then exactly how You did. When I feel distant from You, send Your Spirit to comfort me. I want to feel Your presence always! Amen.