Fear focused living

One of the stories in the bible that fascinates me is the story of Elijah after his contest with the priests of Baal. As you read 1 Kings 19 it's clear that he is no longer seeing things from God's perspective, but from his own focus based on fear. Fear is a monster at times. It changes how we see things, how we feel and how we view God. Here's the exchange between Elijah and God on the mountain of God, Horeb, and then I have a few thoughts about Elijah's words,

And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “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.” 11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “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.”

I love God's question to the prophet, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" God's the master of questions. In fact he asks this question twice. The first time Elijah answers with fear, "I'm the only one left and they are trying to kill ME!" If you read the whole story you know these things are not true. You also know that Elijah has his view of things distorted by the fear that is overwhelming him. God's first question gives us a view of Elijah's heart. He's completely fear focused! How often do we let the circumstances of our life distort our view of things? How often do we let fear focused vision overwhelm us? Elijah did and it was caused by the threats of Jezebel, the queen. On her word alone fear had overwhelmed him.

Then something happens. God tries to get his attention. It's a good slap in the face, SNAP OUT OF IT! Wake up! Get your perspective right. You're looking at things the wrong way, Elijah.

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He had become fear focused and it was all based on the words and threats of a queen, but he was now in the presence of God himself. If he can only see God correctly it will change his focus and dispel his fears, but fear is a strong emotion. Often it's so strong we can't see anything else. Often it makes it impossible for God to get through to us. Often it makes it impossible for God to use us anymore. That is what we see with Elijah.

Between God's two questions, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” something happens that should have changed his perspective. Here's what happened,

11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

What is this all about? What is God trying to do? He's trying to change Elijah's view of his situation. If he can see that God is bigger than Jezebel....if he can fear the creator more than he fears the creation then God can use him. At the end of this revelation of God he once more asks a question. It's a question that basically asks, "Can you hear me now?"

What's fascinating to me is that Elijah does not see God! His fear of a woman has blinded him and his reply to God's question remains the same...exactly the same, 14 He replied, “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.”

God's response? "Ok, Elijah, you're done. I can't use you anymore. Go and ordain your replacement." When fear of man so dominates our lives that we can't see God when he shows up God can't use us anymore. That was Elijah's finish. A finish that put him on the bench because of fear. I don't think we realize how devastating fear can be in our lives...especially when it's a fear of man. Fear of man will paralyze us, make us ineffective and of no use to God.

How could a guy like Elijah let fear dominate him as it did? The truth is that fear can sideline any of us if we aren't focused on a healthy fear of God. A fear and reverence for God will dispel any fear of man we might experience, but for Elijah it was too late. He was done.

Fear focused living is debilitating. It makes us unable to see God clearly because all we can see is what fear has magnified in our lives. Proverbs tells us, "Don't be afraid of sudden fear." Fear will try to change our focus. Be ready for it by keeping your eyes on the Lord. It will keep you from making God small and people big.