Running Ahead of God

1 Kings 20:46
The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

This verse comes after the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel. He had seen God defeat the prophets of Baal. He had prayed and God had sent rain. And now he was outrunning evil King Ahab riding in a chariot. This was a time of great victory. Elijah had been faithful and God had powerfully answered his prayers. He was running with the power of the Lord.

But then Jezebel had sworn to kill him and he was afraid. He left his servant and went alone to the desert. He was running away.

Elijah ran ahead of God, without God telling him where to go. Before he had always gone where and when God had directed. He started running in a good direction toward the Mountain of God, the mountain where God had made his covenant, but he was still running scared. So he ran out of strength and grew discouraged. He asked God for it to just be over. He had had enough.

Still God came to him. He sent an angel to provide him with food and he went forward.

And so Elijah ended up at the mountain of God and hid in a cave. Now God spoke to him and asked "What are you doing here?" The question implies that Elijah had come for his own reasons. His answer was defensive - "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

His answer was focused on himself. Then God passed by, first in a wind, then in an earthquake, then in fire. And finally in a still whisper. God asked the same question, "What are you doing here?" and Elijah gave the same answer. He didn't understand what God was saying for his focus was too much on himself. Elijah had wanted God to call judgment on the people of Israel through wind and fire, God was going to speak to them through a single voice, like he spoke to Elijah at the mountain.

Even though Elijah didn't understand, he still followed the Lord's instructions to go back and appoint Hazel king over Aram and Jehu king over Israel and appoint Elisha to be his successor. Later on these kings would the instrument of God's judgment but through Elisha God would still preserve a remnant who were faithful to him.

Elijah's time of greatest discouragement came after his greatest battle and victory. I wonder what more Elijah would have done, how else God would have used Elijah if he had not run away. Thankfully, he did not run away forever, but walked back to his job. He followed God and again showed great faith and courage in delievering God's message to another king.

Oh, LORD when I don't understand and want only to run away, help me to always listen to you and to faithfully walk where you lead. Help me not to run ahead of you, but walk where you lead in your power. Amen