Fear and Isolation

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. (1 Kings 19:1-3)

 

Elijah was fresh off the greatest spiritual victory of his life, as God had proven Himself in the eyes of all Israel. Yet, at the voice of the evil Queen Jezebel, he cowered, ran, and isolated himself from the people, work, and will of God. This episode in the life of Elijah is truly a warning to us. Even after our highest spiritual moments and victories, we can be more vulnerable than we know – and Satan will seek to deliver a death blow to our faith when we least expect it.

 

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;

He rages against all wise judgment. (Proverbs 18:1)

 

Where was the faith Elijah displayed on Mount Carmel where he triumphed over hundreds of pagan priest and prophets? How did he go from calling down fire from heaven to flying away like a frightened bird? How quickly we can fall if we take our eyes off the Lord, even for a moment — and how steep that fall can be! The voice of the Lord becomes strange and distant to us the moment we isolate ourselves from Him and fellow believers, so we must heed the lesson the scriptures illustrate in Elijah. Let us resist the temptation to look at Jezebel and look away from Jesus — and let us be found standing close to Him at all times, especially when we are afraid.

 

Let's Pray - Father God, may I be prepared to stand in faith in the difficult moments of my life. Teach me to run to those who will pray for me and encourage me, and may my testimony be a help to those around me. Amen.