And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life…

1 Kings 19:3

 I have heard many sermons and stories about Elijah running from one little woman named Jezebel. Yes, Elijah ran after calling down fire from heaven and defeating four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal with the sword (1 Kings 19). The stories and sermons I have heard are usually told with a negative connotation or in a condescending manner, as if to say, Elijah could handle four hundred and fifty wicked men, but he couldn’t handle one little woman. I have some food for thought concerning this matter…some things for consideration.

After defeating the four hundred and fifty occultist prophets, Elijah was tired physically, mentally and spiritually. He had been doing warfare all day long. He was just one man, in the midst of a demonic presence that seriously believed in the “lord of Baal,” a sun god. These prophets, under the authority of Jezebel, were accustomed to worshiping Baal, the god whom they believed controlled the weather and caused the land to be fertile. In other words, they weren’t calling on some little spirits or imps. This was heavy-duty warfare.

Jezebel threatened to take Elijah’s life within 24 hours of the Mount Carmel victory. Elijah wasn’t running from just a little woman, she was the personification of a principality. A principality, is the highest-ranking spirit in the kingdom of darkness, next to satan himself. Remember, it was a principality that held up Daniel’s answer from God for 21 days (Daniel 10:13). It took Michael, the archangel, to defeat him. Yes, the God that Elijah served is more powerful than any demonic spirit or principality, but God has also set order in His kingdom.

Not only was Elijah tired, but I believe he also knew that doing warfare with a principality was not in his sphere of anointing. God sends apostles to challenge principalities, not prophets. Prophets can accompany and assist apostles. Apostles have the most authority in God’s kingdom here on earth, therefore they are sent to deal with the highest-ranking authority in satan’s kingdom. When God got ready to deal with Jezebel, he sent Jehu, a king (the highest-ranking authority in any kingdom) with apostolic authority.

Elijah had enough wits about him to know that dealing with Jezebel was above his assignment. He knew that he didn’t have the stamina to deal with a principality, especially after being worn down by the presence of the demonic forces.

Any wise minister or prophet of today, knows that you don’t attempt to do warfare when you are drained, physically, mentally and spiritually. If you do, you are ripe for defeat. It’s not that God isn’t powerful enough to use you in a weakened state, it’s just not wise to do warfare when you are fatigued. Even the historical Jesus, retreated to be refueled and refreshed. He didn’t move continuously from one battlefield to another just because He was God in the flesh. He took time between battles to re-energize.

After he received the news from Jezebel, Elijah ran into the wilderness and sat under a broom tree with an attitude of defeat and a mind to die. He was so despondent that he couldn’t see himself as the mighty man of valor that he was. He was also so exhausted and deleterious, that he thought he was the only one fighting on the Lord’s side. See how weird we think when we are fatigue.

The angel of the Lord found Elijah under the broom tree and provided him with food and water to refresh himself. The angel told him to, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you” (1 Kings 19:7).

I know I have messed with your theology and your cute preaching and teaching, nevertheless, you might want to consider running like Elijah and Joseph when the situation is too hot for you to handle. There is no shame in running at the appropriate time, it might save your life, your ministry or your character.

Declare…

I will not be too proud to run when the situation warrants it.

Posted by on Wednesday, November 15th, 2017 @ 12:43AM
Categories: Inspirational