When Courage is Lost

FROM: MARCH 12 @ 18, 2019

TOPIC: "When Courage is Lost" 1 Kings 19:1-19 Elijah had eliminated all the religious frauds of Jezebel! But now a threatening voice comes to his ear that produces in him terror! The prophet knew that God was with him, however, a voice from the most diabolical woman he knew terrorized him! We know of Jezebel in 2 Kings 9:22 "When Joram saw Jehu he asked: Have you come in peace, Jehu? And he replied: How can there be peace, AS LONG AS ALL THE IDOLATRY AND WITCHCRAFT OF YOUR MOTHER JEZEBEL ABOUND?" Jezebel's perversity is clearly described in this verse. She is denounced for her fornication, both corporal and spiritual. That was Jezebel, and Elijah fled from her terrified!

I. As Elijah had slaughtered all the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18:40), Jezebel swore that Elijah would be dead within a day (Vs. 2) "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."

A. That comment lacerated the ear of the prophet Elijah.

1. He immediately thought that running away was best (Vs. 3, 4).

2. THE PROPHET SHOULD BE, NOT IN THE SOLITARY SILENCE OF A DESERT, BUT AMONG MEN, TO REPRIMAND THE WICKED AND ENCOURAGE THE GOOD!

3. (Vs. 9 "There he went into a cave and spent the night." And the word of the Lord came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?") Is a cave a place for a prophet to live?

4. 'What are you doing here, Elijah?" It is as if God asked him: "Are you running from Jezebel? Am I not more powerful than that wicked one? "

5. The ear forgets what God has done for one! IT IS THE FAITH THAT SHOULD BE ROOTED IN ALL OUR BEING!

6. Elijah's faith had achieved such a great victory the day before (1 Kings 18:22-46), but he lost the courage.

7. Now Elijah was worried about his life, then he decided to save himself by running away.

8. He was discouraged, defeated and depressed.

9. God saw his depression and treated him with rest, food and beverage (1 Kings 19:6-7).

10. After this, strengthened, he walked about 310 kilometers in forty days. (Vs. 8).

11. What was Elijah (Vs. 9) doing in a cave?

12. Elijah said to the Lord "...they are trying to kill me too." (Vs. 10)

13. God dealt with Elijah very closely and allowed himself to be seen before the prophet with His authority. (Vs. 11-13)

14. The teaching for Elijah and for us is the following: If his heart had not been occupied with himself, he would have learned that storms, earthquakes and fire cannot achieve what a calm voice can (tranquil, pleasant)!

B. It seems that the UTILITY (the capacity that one who can serve has) of Elijah as a servant of God suffered when he adopted the attitude of SELF-IMPORTANCE.

1. (Vs. 15, 16) God commanded him to return to the north, (well he was at the south in Sinai) to the desert of Damascus, where he was going to anoint these three people:

a. He would anoint Hazael as king over Syria (because Israel would be punished by this king in their disobedience).

b. He would anoint Jehu as king over Israel (because Jehu would carry out God's judgment over the house of Ahab).

c. And he would anoint Elisha as his successor!

2. In his fear Elijah forgot the love of the Lord, the service that he had to do.

3. This would teach the prophet that he was not indispensable (necessary).

4. Now these three men would fulfill God's judgment over the idolaters in Israel!

5. Although, God wanted Elijah to be the one, but he had lost his courage!

6. Where God told Elijah, there he found Elisha, a farmer, and threw his cloak around him (Vs. 19).

7. There was someone who would now be useful, and he would not be afraid, nor would he give himself so much importance as to suffering.

8. Elisha would grow in faith, in strength, as a man of good will and passion, a prophet of authority who WOULD NOT FEAR MEN! Neither the whispering or comments, or anyone's opinion!

9. Then, in that way he was able to succeed! DOING GOD'S WILL OVER ALL ADVERSITY! Amen.