Don’t Just Run Around

In some meetings, I end up laying hands in prayer over more than 1000 people. Throughout the service, I feel energised and powerful, like a superhero. However, as soon as the service concludes, I feel drained and exhausted, collapsing onto my bed. Although the Holy Spirit is within us and upon us, enabling us to accomplish great things, our physical bodies are still being utilised and affected.

Elijah's experience serves as a prime example of this. Mount Carmel, where the showdown between the prophets of Baal and Elijah took place, is approximately 50 kilometres from Jezreel. After his intense spiritual victory over the false prophets, Elijah became physically exhausted from running ahead of King Ahab's chariot to reach Jezreel.

Following a three-year drought, the prophet Elijah challenges the 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel to prove who is the true God - Yahweh or Baal. As the false prophets of Baal fail to bring fire upon their sacrifice, Elijah prays to Yahweh, and God sends fire from heaven to consume the offering. After this miraculous display of power, the people of Israel acknowledge Yahweh as the one true God, and Elijah orders the execution of the prophets of Baal.

It’s raining now, and the three-year drought has ended, according to the prophetic word given by Elijah. “1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 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.” (1 Kings 19:1-2)

The silence of Baal and the fire from Yahweh on Mount Carmel did not lead Jezebel to repent. Enraged by the slaughter of her false prophets, Jezebel vows to kill Elijah, sending him a chilling message through a messenger, declaring that she will take his life within 24 hours, just as he had taken the lives of her prophets.

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 19:3)

Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), and that’s the Truth. But the sad irony is that fear, too, comes by hearing the voice of the evil one. Upon receiving the menacing message from Jezebel, Elijah, the once-bold prophet, is overcome with fear. Despite having just witnessed the incredible power of God on Mount Carmel, Elijah's faith wavers, and he chooses to flee from the wrath of the wicked queen. So, as we navigate through life, it is crucial to be mindful of the messages we expose ourselves to, as they can influence our faith, emotions, and actions.

Elijah was in Jezreel when he received the threatening message from Jezebel. Earlier on, I told you how Elijah ran for 50Kms. Driven by fear, he embarks on a long and arduous journey from Jezreel to Beersheba, which is a distance of approximately 172 kilometres.

In the context of the ancient world, travelling such a great distance would have been a daunting task, requiring immense physical stamina and determination. There were no modern conveniences such as cars or trains to make the journey more manageable. Consequently, Elijah would have spent days traversing difficult terrain, exposed to the elements and in constant fear for his life. All this ultimately leads Elijah to a state of burnout.

Life will always keep you busy. However, we need to discern the things that God has called us to do. This is one of the keys to avoiding physical exhaustion and being fruitful.

Don’t Just Run Around

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