Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there (1 KI 19.1-3).
“The shock of Jezebel’s resistance after Mount Carmel has led Elijah to forget to think theologically, so he flees from Jezreel in the North to Beersheba in the far South of the promised land – as far from Jezebel as he can get.” (ESV Study Bible comment on 1 KI 19.3)
It’s amazing how quickly we can flip flop in our Christian walk. God had just responded to Elijah’s faith by sending fire from heaven and consuming his sacrifice – a water-drenched bull – as well as everything beneath the bull – the stack of wood, the altar made of stones, the ground beneath the altar, and the trench filled with water around the altar. Poof. Gone. Big smoking hole in the ground. Baal and his 450 prophets humiliated. Major revival breaks out as the people all shout, “The Lord, he is God over and over.” Could God be any more real or powerful?
Yet when Elijah hears Jezebel’s threat, instead of trusting God, he takes off in terror. Where was Elijah’s all-powerful Lord now? Couldn’t this God whose fire consumed the sacrifice and the altar protect Elijah from a woman? Of course God could, but Elijah isn’t thinking theologically, but naturally. He looks at his circumstances and panics.
We must think theologically. We must think accurate, biblical, true thoughts about God and our lives. Our circumstances are a poor barometer of the truth as are our feelings. Thinking theologically means when Jezebel threatens my life, I say, “The God who heard my prayer to send fire yesterday will hear my prayer for protection today. The God who is sovereign over all other gods is surely sovereign over this woman. The God who was faithful in the past will certainly be faithful in the future. If I could trust him yesterday, I can trust him today.”
What are you believing about God in your circumstances? Do you believe he’s sovereign, loving and wise? Do you believe he’s working all things for your good? Do you believe he’ll be faithful tomorrow?
Think theologically.
photo by Kevin
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I was just reflecting on something similar this morning! Very apt word!
I was reading through Mark 5, where Jesus has been called by Jairus to go to his house and heal his sick daughter, but has crowds surrounding him and then a woman who’s been bleeding for years comes and touches him and he takes time to call her forward after she got healed, etc…
I’d be pretty annoyed if I was Jairus – thinking Jesus should hurry up. Then when Jairus’ servants come and say his daughter has actually died, I’d be more annoyed and upset. His servants tell him not to bother Jesus any more as she’s now dead..
Yet it says – Jesus ignored what they said, and told him “Don’t be afraid; just believe”!!
Believe God challenged me on that – I still need a job (and where I live here in England, there really isn’t any), and still need money, and some direction/vision to life, etc. There seems to be many other things that don’t seem to make sense and seem to limit some things that God has spoken to me before about my life and what He wants me to do..
Yet – “Don’t be afraid; just believe”.
I need to learn to trust, even with seemingly impossible circumstances, that He is in control, and will work out His plans.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Mark, your blog is such a continual source of encouragement to me! Every time I think its just me that struggles with someting (trusting God, joy, etc), I come to your blog and find a post on that very topic and comments from others who struggle too! Tom, thanks for sharing…it encouraged me today! I find it so easy to look back and see God’s faithfulness displayed in my life over and over again, yet in my fear, I often assume that (faithfulness and love) doesn’t apply for today too! What a timely reminder for me today to hear of God’s faithfulness…in the middle of fear and lacking trust. Thank you. I seem to have entered another season of migraines and other physical weakness. How good to be reminded that God is in control of even this!
That’s a great phrase. I wish more Christians understood the warm-heartedness and the amazing promise of good theology. This article helps to convey that! Thanks Mark.
Hey Tom,
Thanks for sharing what you’re facing and the faith you are seeking to hold on to. I can relate in a small way perhaps to what you are going through, for I lacked direction for years during my 20′s. I worked for the highway department, worked in an art gallery, worked in a sign shop, had my own sign painting business, taught a year of public school, went back to grad school, taught another year of school. Got married at age 30. Then God called me into pastoral ministry. In my 20′s I had no idea I’d wind up a pastor. I know the Lord will guide you as you keep trusting him.
Hi Emily,
I’m feel so bad for you that you have to go through these seasons of migraines. I can’t imagine how hard that is for you. My daughter has suffered with migraines for almost 8 years. I truly respect you and all who struggle with such pain who endure with faith and perseverance, which brings much glory to Jesus. I know the Lord is doing and will continue to do much good in your life.
Thanks Jeri,
Yes “warm-heartedness and the amazing promise of good theology.” What a blessing sound doctrine has been in my own life, like an anchor. Thanks for commenting.
“Our circumstances are a poor barometer of the truth as are our feelings.”
Thank you for this timely and very helpful reminder. I have gone through a season of “darkness” where I do not know what God is doing and do not feel like I’m getting a lot of direction (besides stay put and serve
…which is pretty good direction) on what to do. I keep sensing that God has something coming, but life is purposefully dark (in the sense that I cannot see what’s coming). Thank you for the reminder that my trust does not lie in anything other than my Savior. He leads and directs, but (as I’m sure Jarius would say) not in the way or with the timing that we expect.
Hi Yeller,
I can relate somewhat (see my response to Tom) to a lack of direction. I think you hit the nail on the head with “stay put and serve.” That’s lots of direction! I may use that for a blog post! Thanks! I know the Lord has many good works he’s already prepared for you to walk in. Sounds like you’re walking in them.
Your response to Tom was super encouraging! Thanks. One of my favorite quotes (by Thomas Watson, I think) sums walking in faith and darkness so well…
“Faith knows there are not impossibilities with God and will TRUST him where it cannot TRACE him.”
Hey Mark,
Great post and responses! Very encouraging, and timely!
We definitely need to think theologically, so much of the bookshelves in most christian bookstores are occupied with “sanctified” self help material (yes that was sarcasm!)
To think theologically, we definitely have to come to a place of trust. Knowing that what God has said in His word is totally trustworthy and proven, what God has done in the past He will do in the future as well, He is totally trustworthy. I’m finding that to be very true in this season of my life with being unemployed and struggling with situations in my family. Through it all, God has and will continue to show Himself faithful. I definitely cannot go on feelings, because as Jeremiah 17:9 says, my heart is desperately wicked and beyond figuring out, my emotions lie to me on a daily basis. What I need is faith, not the kind that the televangelists tell you to have but faith in a totally trustworthy God who has my best interests at heart.
Thanks for your encouraging words today, and for your words to Tom. I was greatly encouraged to hear you share that.
Blessings
Ron Reffett
Hey Yeller,
Great quote! I love Watson!
Hi Ron,
Yep, thinking theologically is all about trusting – trusting God’s word and character despite what our hearts and eyes may tell us. I know that as you continue to persevere in faith, you will look back 5 years from now (or sooner) and be amazed at what the Lord has done for you Ron.