“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 1 Kings 19:4 (ESV)
Elijah, the great prophet, asked to die! And God responded, not by killing him but transferring his mantle before being taken to heaven! He just had the greatest victory of his life, calling fire down, and putting to death hundreds of false prophets. He prayed and broke a drought! Then he received a threatening report from Jezebel and believed it. In his weariness he gave up! It is recorded that “Elijah was afraid ran for his life” (1 Kings 19:3). Yes, Jezebel’s threat was real, though instead of a messenger she could have sent a soldier. She said that within 24 hours Elijah would be dead! But instead of rejecting the report, he fled town, and pretty much concluded his ministry!
At another time Nehemiah rejected the report and finished the wall around Jerusalem. Daniel rejected the report and spent the night in the lion’s den without a scratch. Hezekiah rejected the report and watched God annihilate a huge army that had come against him. All these reports were real, but instead of responding out of fear, they responded out of faith and watched God do a miracle!
What report have you been believing? It could be news from your doctor, or a threat from your employer, or a mandate from illegit president! Don’t accept the report.
Let me also say, be careful of what you pray. God honored Elijah’s request, but instead of death, he was translated to heaven. It is so easy to make demands of God, saying things like Elijah did, such as “Father I have had enough! I can’t take anymore!” Any time we give up we are actually saying our God is not big enough to come through for us! Faith, not fear, moves God and all of heaven. But when we respond and pray out of fear, as so many have over the past two years, we may find relief, but we will not find God’s best. We may miss out on the miracle He was wanting to release on and through us! Who knows if Elijah’s ministry was meant to be over, but he gave up and went to heaven. Sure, he passed it on to Elisha, who got a double portion and did awesome things. Perhaps God was about to do another amazing thing in fulfilling the prophecies about Ahab and Jezebel, but because of Elijah’s fear, He fulfilled them a different way.
So instead of responding out fear, take your report to God. Repent where you have allowed fear to control you. Ask God to fill you afresh with faith and courage to continue to walk with Him through whatever it is that lies before you. Declare the devil’s report null and void! Proclaim that God is the God of the impossible and is about to release a miracle in your life! Declare that you choose to trust God with all your heart and not lean on your own understanding or how things look (Proverbs 3:5). Thank Him for the fresh wind He is about to blow over you!
