When Going Through A Time Of Testing Remember This

I Kings 19:3-4 - And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But 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 my life, for I am not better than my fathers." 

• What Not Trusting in God Looks Like.

Elijah isn't having one of his better days in the above scriptural text. Maybe you can relate with Elijah? He had just experienced a spiritual high. He had defeated the 450 false prophets of Baal.

God had honored him by sending fire down from heaven and consuming the water drenched sacrifice after Baal didn't answer the false prophets.

Jezebel then threatens to take Elijah's life and he flees. What is with that? I really don't understand Elijah's actions here.

He had defeated the 450 false prophets of Baal by trusting in God and now he is going to flee. He is not going to trust God.

If I ever could ask Elijah a few questions one would certainly be: "Why not trust God one more time? Why did you flee?"

Elijah had shown his faith so many times by trusting in God. He was used by God to raise the dead. He knew he had a special relationship with God.

So why did Elijah become such a wimp? He runs away and hides and now he wants to die. 

When have you not trusted God?
 
How did you feel afterwards?
 
You will want to remember that awful feeling so that you don't have to feel it again. Allow that feeling to motivate you to stay faithful and not wimp out. 

• When Do Opportunities Not To Trust God Usually Come?

Have you experienced any spiritual highs? You led someone to Christ. You invited someone to attend a worship service and they attended with you.
 
If I were you I would be careful because I have observed that right after a spiritual high comes a testing of your faith. This usually will result in a spiritual low if you aren't prepared to battle against this test.

Not trusting God is never the correct answer.
 
The word "beware" is used 14 times in the New Testament. Here is one from the book of Mark 8:15 says, "And He was giving orders to them, saying, "Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
 
He was telling His disciples to "beware" of the teachings and the life style of the Pharisees and Herod.
 
That is a pretty good indication that we should be on guard as we walk through this life. We have an enemy who seeks to devour us. We need to beware of the teachings that the world is throwing at us today. 

• When Trusting God It May Look Like You're Losing. 

One must always remember no trial is able to defeat you and your God. You must keep the faith. 1 John 4:4 - "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."

When it is looking very dim for you that is the time to draw closer to God and not run away from Him. You can never lose by keeping your faith in God.
 
NEVER!

Think About This:

All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all that I haven't seen. - R.W. Emerson

I am organizing a trip to the Holy Land in January/February 2023. If you are interested in possibly going on this trip reply to this Pump Up and I will add your name to the list. As I receive more details I will send them to you. I am very happy to inform you that Dr. Mark Ziese is going to be our Bible Lecturer for this trip. You can read more about him and the trips he has already led on his website.

www.MarkZiese.com

I hope you will be able to join us on this adventure of a lifetime.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word