Threat of life can send one running for the hills, but what is interesting Elijah had just slained the baal's prophets and King Ahab had been a witness to the power of God even to the rain coming and tells his wife Queen Jezebel. Queen Jezebel bows not to the story of the power of God, instead she is now angry and threatening to kill Elijah for killing her prophets. Elijah takes off running to hide. Queen Jezebel is full denial and unbelief of the power of God. How many believe even with evidence given by another that God power is real truly believe?

When I was little girl I seen the story on the news of Joni Eareckson a quadriplegic with a witness of Jesus, despite her diving accident. From the moment I heard her testimony I knew here story was real, but it was her love of painting that fancinated me. There are some testimony that moment you hear them you know they are true. Not only true but the story of hope is seen within the story. Her story testifying of the power of God changing her situation from disaster to hope for God's glory. When one hears these testimonies of faith, it often strengthens people of faith and even reaches out to others needing faith and hope. The warm fuzzy feeling of simple faith but not always easy, and sometimes a bigger struggle of endurance then fully realized.

Elijah testimony and journey is one of struggle, hope, endurance, fear and triumph. It is the fear that causes strong men to run and hide, after a big huge battle of faith. How can Elijah see the prophets of Baal destroyed while standing up to Ahab and then fear the Queen at her decree sent to him by messenger after praying for rain after three years of drought to not only have rain come by the word of God on the third year as promised. How can a man of faith run out of fear.

There are storms in life that one can not run from. There storms in life one can run down the road and keep going until the energy or finances stops a person. At times of loosing my sight, I find myself in a position of desiring to run from the problem and can not. I think of all the situations I have been in concerning health and it only part of my journey. God has healed me and delivered me through situations of health over the years why not this time. The answer is I have to wait for God to deliver in his time, for there is no solution but God's divine healing. Often the battle is not ours to wage, it already being waged in regards to spiritual battle. Is our faith in jeopardy, never, why because of God's seal on our life, but it does at times go through periods of trials so faith will grow and be strengthen. Sometimes we need reminder of what God has already done on those days we want to run. Sometimes we need food from God for strength.

Elijah reach exhaustion and falls asleep when he sits under a juniper tree. Angel of God ministers to him and feeds him. Angel encourages Elijah to eat for the journey was long. As he began his journey once more he would go forty days without a meal and he finds a cave. God begins to minister to him. He demonstrates his power with wind, rockslide and earthquake. Yet God speaks with a small still voice to Elijah and wants to know why Elijah is there.

Elijah in response is not responding out of his victory but out of his losses and God losses. Not about the victory but about the death of the prophet of God, and not about the joy or the areas of victory . God's response to Elijah is I have seven thousand men that have not bowed their knee to Baal or kiss him. I have a plan Elijah, why are you worried and afraid. Go do what I instructed you and anoint a king and a prophet. I can make new leaders, despite how many they kill. I got an army Elijah, why are you in fear. I smile, because do we not see the losses in our faith more quickly then the ability of God to overcome and over power the enemy by raising up prophets, teachers, preachers and people of God, leaders, kings, queens, senators, House of Representatives, and presidents as godly leaders and even state leaders. Yet where Elijah standing in the mouth of a cave. God sends him forth to do his will. Elijah had not misplaced his faith, only misplaced his gaze.

The enemy already sees his weapons, because he fighting with his power and not the knowledge of the power of God. Jezebel knew not God's strength nor his power and what would come. However Elijah only need to know God's plan to know the defense against the enemy to know his fear was misplaced by his knowledge of the power of his government, instead of trusting in his God.

This passage often is told in regards to fasting and how Elijah fasted 40 days. Yet what most fail to see, he had no trouble going on the strength of God to hide in the mountain for God to then tell him what he needed to know. What if he had prayed and not run, would God not of raised up another prophet if Elijah was killed by the queen. The issue is not our running, but will we slow down and listen to God. I got to still listen to God in the battle of my faith and so do you. You know you can run and even escape for a time perhaps from things one does not want to deal with, but sooner or later it must be dealt with, you can not run or hid from the issue forever.

When Elijah found God had a plan in place and army, it all it took for him to gain strength. I sure his body needed food at that point, but it didn't stop him from running to anoint Elisha to be a prophet or the next king. Sometimes we just need the comfort of God's spirit and the comfort of God not chastizing but his hug and embrace of knowing he understands our fears, enough to allow our fears to starve us and bring us to a place we either listen or die. God did not come in the storm, but allow the storm to rage around Elijah and waited to speak to him when he hear his still small voice. The best way to win an argument is not to yell back, yet the one yelling needs to hear the calm in the other person's voice. No doubt Elijah's spirit may of been screaming why God am I the only one left that will not bow to baal. Why are they seeking my life, what did I do wrong.

Life is short God's power reigns and he has the road map, so basically let us trust in him, and stop worrying what we can not change, remember he can raise dry bones up to win the battle if need be. Dont' worry about who is needed to win the battle, your spiritual battle is already won when you gave your heart and life to Jesus. It is life struggles that often get us, not our faith. Learn to rest in what you know about God and Christ Jesus. Allowed the Spirit of God to comfort you. Just rest in his presence knowing his power always means victory and enemies' power means defeat. It is that easier said and I am done for today.

Dear Heavenly Father, remind us daily of your power and strength is greater then man. That knowledge of this power and might is to rest in the comfort of your Spirit. Bring us comfort and reminder of who in charge. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Psalm 37:1-40 KJV
1 A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
18 The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
22 For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off.
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
32 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
33 The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.
34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.