NO NEED TO FEAR
Today's reading: 1 Kings 19-22

"Elijah was afraid and ran for his life..." 1 Kings 19:3

What was Elijah afraid of? After witnessing God display mighty power at the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal? After seeing the cloud the size of a man's hand? After walking through the puddles produced by the mighty rainstorm he had just prayed for?

Elijah was afraid of a wrinkly, bitter, hate-filled and power-hungry woman. Jezebel.

I can see her in my mind. Small, but potent. Dainty, but loud. Dressed to the nines, but lacking in inner beauty. Controlling. Crabby. High maintenance.

You laugh as you think about Elijah, this prophet of God, being afraid of her--but aren't you doing the same thing?

Satan has whispered threats in your ear, now you're running for your life.

The doctor has given you a diagnosis you don't want, now you head for the hills.

The life you planned is not the life you're living. You're scared. You're defeated. You are afraid.

You're afraid of the pink slip just handed you. The bank statement that's lacking. The task that looms. The fear that keeps growing in your mind.

Just what are you afraid of? Scared God's not big enough--allow me to settle those fears! Thinking God's forgotten all about you, or even worse, knows all about you and has written you off as undeserving--not my God! Determined that you can't make it--He's not given up on you!

God has done, is in the process of doing and will continue to do some huge things in your life. Don't run. Don't tremble in fear. Don't cower or give up. You have no need to fear!