The greatest moves of God in our lives can often be followed by the greatest challenges. Why is that? The challenges are often fed by shift in focus and fatigue that follow the great move, and the challenges then can be fueled by fear.

As I was thinking through this, a very real and personal feeling set in, “imposter syndrome”. When God is leading and God is working, while we trust him, he has success. But, we know that it isn’t us and we are fine with that… Yet as the “evil one” comes against us, we know it’s not us, yet he makes accusations, threats, and we are tired. Then we think, “they are going to find out that I’m not good at this.

1 Kings 18 tells the story of Elijah’s encounter with the prophets of Baal under the faulty lead of Ahab and Jezebel in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, after they split with Judah.

Remember, it hadn’t rained in three years as God was correcting them, calling them back to himself, for repentance to result in forgiveness.

18:1 says “go present yourself to Ahab, I will send rain.”

The only thing Elijah was responsible for was the message, and then God does the “God-stuff”.

But in v17 Ahab called Elijah, “the one RUINING Israel.”

Ahab called the false prophets to Mt. Carmel to “show” their power to the people. You know that story I’m sure… the false prophets prayed and did all they could to get Baal to consume their prepared altars of sacrifice. But nothing happened.

Then Elijah prayed, v36, Lord… today let it be known that you are God in ISrael, I am y our servant, and that at your word I have done all these things… 37 Answer me Lord… so that this people will know that YOU, The Lord are God… and have turned their hearts back…

Good Prayer… v38 then the fire fell… 39 the people saw it, fell face down and said, ‘the Lord He is God!’

Elijah had his eyes on God. Elijah was focused on what God wanted – Repentance as a result of this revelation. Elijah did nothing but what God said… and God took care of the “God-stuff”.

Rain came as the people turned to the Lord, but evil attacks and threatens. In spite of all God had done, 1 Kings 19:2 – Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah…

Here is our focus… v3 Then Elijah became afraid and ran for his life from Jezebel into Beersheba

He had shifted his focus, stopped turning to God, was alone, was tired, knew he wasn’t “good enough”, and was perhaps afraid that he was being “found out.”

Go back there to 18:46 … look he ran to Jezreel, which depending on the route was between 17 and 30 miles – I’m a runner and know how long that would take me… and outran Ahab’s chariot. That’s power of God. But now he’s running from the threat, he ran for his life, to Beersheba, that’s 100 miles more. Then he LEAVES his servant behind, he’s completely alone, and he goes “a days journey” into the wilderness. Now he’s hiding.

Well, then he prays… that’s good right? Well, he prays for death! I have had enough! Lord take my life.” Then he went to Sleep.

I’m glad the Lord doesn’t always answer every prayer.

I could spend a long time here, but let me just make some quick observational statements about dealing with this kind of fear.

• You are NOT an imposter, you are a servant. The power is God’s, and so is the outcome
• Keep your eyes and ears on the Lord. If he says “go”, then go. If he says “stay” then stay, and trust him.
• Get Rest and Nourishment
  • An Angel touched him – told him to eat and drink
  • He went back to sleep
  • Then THE Angel of the Lord – that’s JESUS – woke him and had him eat again – Get up and eat for The Journey will be TOO much for you
• Listen to and Follow God – Then on THAT Strength… he walked 40 Days and 40 Nights to Horeb the Mountain of God

Maybe we will look later at what happens next – but With God – Focused ON God, we can DO what God wants… and be ready for whatever is next.