Following an Exciting God (part 2)

We recently looked at Elijah and his triumph over the false prophets of Baal. We pick up the story again in 1 KINGS Ch 18 v 41 where Elijah, fresh from his conquest, seizes the initiative against the evil King Ahab.

• The drought ends after 3 years. This part of the story is significant due to the blessing of rain so soon after the end of the Baal worship and Elijah's perfect faith that rain would come.
  
  
• Elijah's triumphs haven't finished yet as "the power of the Lord came upon him" (v 46) and he runs with supernatural strength ahead of the chariot of Ahab.
  
  
• In a staggering contrast of emotions, Jezebel issues a death threat to Elijah and he runs for his life!  So distraught was Elijah that he actually prays to God to end his life (Ch 19 v 4).
  
  
• God is gracious and he meets us where we are at. Elijah had been living in his own strength and that had run out. God now strengthens Elijah for the journey ahead.

It is a natural emotion to want to do great things for God. When we come into an understanding of what Christ has done for us we can be pretty determined to help God out in our own strength. This is a noble yet futile goal. Our energies are finite and our emotions brittle, yet God has infinite resources to bestow on us. True Christianity is learning to live daily in the supernatural strength of the risen Jesus. Then we may be useful to God over a more long term period and live out PHILLIPIANS 4 v 13; "I can do everything through him who gives me strength".