1 Kings 19:1–4 (ESV)
1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
2 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.”
3 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.
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Elijah just had a huge victory. He took down almost 1000 prophets of Baal by himself. There were no other prophets of God with him. Just him one was there. He, in the strength and power of God, defeated them. Then when Jezebel finds out, she threatens his life and fear takes a hold of Elijah. It grips his heart. It holds him captive and chases him into isolation like a lioness separating the wounded gazelle.
So, what does Elijah do? He prays that the LORD would take his life. I believe he prayed that God would take his life so that he wouldn’t fall into the hands of Jezebel because she was wicked. He would rather the LORD take his life than Jezebel.
Often times, fear will convince you it’s better to give up than to even try. It’s better to die than to fight. Fear will grip your heart and refuse to let go. And many times, fear comes when you’ve just overcome. Why? Because it needs to stop you from achieving your goal. From fulfilling all God has for you. It has to stop you, so it will do anything to freeze you where you are. It’ll make you forget the great victory you had so that you never truly go forward but are always one step forward and two steps backward.
Our only option is to turn our focus to God. We have to put our faith and trust in the LORD God so that we might overcome through Him. Because fear is a liar. He cannot overcome us if we refuse to believe him.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Put Your Faith In God.