Last week, we looked at the Confidence and Conviction
of a Prophet. While this is an extremely important lesson, we must ALWAYS be
mindful that the Prophets are also human. When we are tired and hungry, we seem
to lose the ability to rally our spirits first and our confidence second. How often have you
wavered when all you really wanted to do at the moment was to go to sleep?
At this point, Elijah is tired and hungry. He
is in a position of physical weakness and therefore much more vulnerable to
doubt and fear (v10). The Prophets humanity and its weaknesses are now in
control. Elijah is ready to throw in the towel and quit. The Prophet has times of fear and frailty, to
be sure. The difference is, however, that the Prophet is ALWAYS ready, willing
and able to hear from God.
1 Kings 19:9-13, 15 (Amplified Version)
9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it;
and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, what are you
doing here, Elijah?
10 He replied, I have been very jealous for
the Lord God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, thrown
down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I, I only, am
left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And He said, Go out and stand on the mount
before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind
rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord
was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in
the earthquake;
12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the
Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and]
a still, small voice.
13 When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his
face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And
behold, there came a voice to him and said, what are you doing here, Elijah?
……….
15 And the Lord said to him, Go, return on
your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael to
be king over Syria.
This is the point of challenge that Satan
knows about and uses to his advantage whenever he gets the chance. Satan did
not approach Jesus until after He had been through a 40 day fast and was at the
point of exhaustion. Doubt and fear will seem to wage an all-out assault on you
as soon as you awaken too early after being up too late the night before.
Now, continue reading the passage. Verses 11
and 12 also speak to our doubt. Doubt rationalizes against Gods Plan and our convictions
by “demanding a great sign”. Elijah’s doubt went and saw the power of the wind,
and the power of the earthquake. Then it waited for the roar of the great fire,
but still no loud and ringing declaration from on high.
Now, see verse 13 – the still soft voice. God speaks at a time and in a fashion that means
that we are ready to listen. We follow Him by choice, not by His hand forcing
us to do so. We hear from Him when we are quiet and ready to listen. We are
Believers when we can become quiet enough to hear Him. We begin to embrace the
power of a Prophet when can hear Him (v15), understand Him, and move forward
according to His command.
Acknowledge your humanity, get your rest, and
then get your confidence back and follow Him – He knows the way!
Blessings,
Bryan
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