“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 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.’ And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life.”
I Kings 19:1-3
We know this part of Elijah’s story well. The prophet of God has experienced great victories of God where he stood for God
against overwhelming odds. He has seen God act in a ways that are staggering. Yet in just a short period of time we read of this brave, bold prophet of God running away at the screeching of a wicked godless woman. We read this account and wonder what happened.
Perhaps Elijah is discouraged to realize that God is not going
to act the way Elijah anticipated. Revival is not coming to Israel
or the palace of the king. Instead of repentance he faces the wrath
of an angry queen. Elijah faces the discouraging thought that he
has failed – he was sure of what God was going to do and now he
learns he is no better than any other prophet before him.
Perhaps it is the visible hatred shown by the queen – the soldier
she sends to Elijah or the intensity of her response causes Elijah
to realize the hardness of their hearts. He has done his best and
failed – they did not respond to his message. No matter which of the scenarios is true (or even if it is another one we could not anticipate), they have the same result. Elijah experiences a fall.
In both actions Elijah takes his eyes off the Lord and begins to focus on the circumstances around him. What a critical lesson this is for us. We cannot be victorious in the Christian life when our eyes are not on our Savior. Scripture teaches us this lesson over and over. Hebrews 12;2 “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:3 “Consider him who endured from sinners
such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Psalm 119:15 “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”
One writer has said, “Taking our eyes off Jesus is the most dangerous thing we could ever do”. Paradoxically, it is also the easiest. We let past hurts, troubles, or even good things like ministry distract us from the ultimate prize, which is Christ alone.” Losing our primary focus is one of the wiles of the devil. He attacks us all in this way to look at our circumstances. The lust of the eyes is not just coveting the things of he world but it also includes the sinful desire to make what we see more important than Christ.
What can we learn? Even good things can cause us to take our eyes off the Lord. Elijah desired revival in the land and when it did
not happen, the “reality” of his failure was a great discouragement to him. He begins to look at his failings rather than allow God to be God and to act in the way He plans. Like the Ephesians we can be busy for the Lord and yet not have our eyes on Him. “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:4 Honoring God is to acknowledge He is in control and has the right to move in whatever way He sees fit. This is a key facet of keeping our eyes on Him. If we take our eyes off Christ we will see our circumstances in light of our own strength. When this happens
we will always end up like Elijah – fatigued, discouraged and fruitless. But be thankful. If you belong to the Lord, He will not leave you there because his eyes are always on you!