Wait, the Lord has not finished with you yet

BY KWAKU NTI

1 Kings 19:1-4 (KJV)

1And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. 3And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, it is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

There are times when as individuals with missions to accomplish in life, we come to a point where we become fed-up with life and seek to die. This situation comes particularly at a time when a major milestone has been achieved by you and everyone looks forward for you to move to the next level. Various events in life lead to this and it begins the appearing of a dark spot which most of the time barricades you and your promotion.

Such was the predicament of the celebrated Prophet Elijah. In chapter 18 of First Kings, the prophet Elijah had successfully challenged King Ahab and dared him to recognize the supremacy of God to see if the famine that had descended upon the nation would not end. The challenge came at a time when “For three years no rain fell in Samaria, and there was almost nothing to eat anywhere” (1 Kings 18: 1). And the Lord demonstrated his supremacy when fire fell from heaven to consume the wet burnt offering of Elijah after the four hundred prophets of Baal had failed to do likewise. With the help of God, Elijah beheaded the four hundred priests of Baal and charged Samaria to worship the Lord and at the prayer of Elijah, rain fell on the land after three years.

Despite all these accomplishments, fear descended heavily on Elijah when Ahab’s wife, Jezebel who had turned his husband’s heart away from the Lord and supervised the worship of Baal swore to make Elijah like one of the slain false prophets. The fear led to Elijah’s plea with the Lord to take away his life; since he was not better than his fathers.

Such is life, man could easily be swayed by events and there would be a time when you would wish for your death. Such situation is called the down or cloudy side of life.

Jezebel decided to slain Elijah after she had heard of Elijah’s accomplishment. There are times when an enemy may undermine your achievements and make you look stupid; you may just think yourself as a person without any notable achievements especially when he/she laughs at what you consider an achievement. In Elijah’s time, it was Jezebel, but in your case, it may be a friend, a relative, mother, father, sibling, teacher or classmate who may try to diminish you with worse, simply refuse to be swayed by what that. Forget about what that person says or said, he simply wish to be like you if he has that opportunity.

Friend, do you think Jezebel wouldn’t have been happy if her false prophets had triumphed over Elijah? Sure, it would have been an opportunity to even spread the worship of Baal in Samaria. Such is life, your accuser would have been the same person who would have trumpeting his achievements should he have achieve these feats. Therefore forget about the public opinion that is meant to bring you on your knees; just pursue your life-long dreams without any persuasion from the devil.

Jezebel promised to make Elijah’s life like one of his prophets just to make sure that the worship of God is not entrenched once again in Samaria, would Jezebel had wished for the same fate to happen for the false prophets if they had killed Elijah?  The reason why someone somewhere is threatening and wishing for your downfall has been because you have accomplished or on the way to accomplishing a great feat. The fact that there would continuously be sticks and stones under ripped fruits should tell you that you are a fruit which many are waiting to eat from. No matter where you have reached, stop there and wait for the Lord for he is ready to do great and mighty works in your life. Simply trust him and there would be a great turn around in your situation.

Forget about the discouragement and the people who have sworn never to sleep until you are finished. They are only there to cheer you on as you journey in life. Their presence would help you to chart a better course for your life. If you don’t have an enemy, go look for one because he / she would be the one to sharpen you some way.

Never see his presence as a threat, simply view his comments as part of the process of sharpening. Do not wish for your death like Elijah did but rather wish that the Lord keeps you on track to accomplish great feats in life. Instead of travelling or thinking about dying, why don’t you think of living to demonstrate to the world that the Lord is great and willing to help anyone who seeks him?

So before you think of ending the race of life or wishing for your death, stop to consider the person you are dealing with. The Lord is his name and he has not finished with you yet. Get up, eat and begin afresh and HE would be there to guide you. GOD BLESS YOU.