Highs and Lows

READ | 1 Kings 18:1-19:3

The Old Testament is filled with stories that tell us about the day to day activities of our brothers and sisters in faith. Their highs and lows are recorded for our benefit, that we might learn how to rightly relate to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. First Kings 18:1-19:2 is no exception.

Read the story and you’ll see what I mean. The prophet Elijah had many conversations with God where God would use him for His good purposes. But at this time Israel had a king, King Ahab who considered it “trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam.” In addition, he served and worshipped Baal which provoked the LORD to anger more than all the kings of Israel before him. That’s no small feat!

Elijah’s ministry was full of challenges. God called him to approach this evil king to confront his false idol worship. Ahab easily could have killed Elijah simply by saying the word. But God protected Him because His purposes were greater than this king’s. So the challenge was set – both would allow their God to answer their prayer to see who the real God was. With the two bulls cut into pieces and placed on the wood Elijah said to the prophets of Baal (there were four-hundred and fifty) to call on their god to bring down fire on the bulls. And you know what happened? Nothing. Their gods were impotent, powerless to do anything. So Elijah steps in and has gallons and gallons of water poured on the bulls and the wood. As he prays the fire of the Lord comes down and licked up every ounce of the bull sacrifice, wood and water. The people were amazed and were heard crying out – “The LORD, he is God! The LORD, he is God!” Amen.

But moments later, after this great victory we see Elijah cowering in fear because of the threat coming his way from the kings wife Jezebel. Friends, ministry is often like this. After the great highs of ministry can come great lows, where we doubt. Let’s remember that what changed in Elijah’s circumstance seems to be simply his trust and his perspective. When he listened and trusted God’s word, success. When he listened to Jezebel’s threats and believed them, fear. Never allow your circumstances to control your faith, but allow your faith to control your circumstances.