
15 Aug Overcome Intimidation
The prophet Elijah had just experienced a mighty breakthrough. In a stand-off between the God of Israel and the idol Baal God had demonstrated His power by sending fire from heaven to consume the water-drenched burnt sacrifice. What a display of victory! What power! What might! But the following day when the evil queen Jezebel threatened his life, Elijah ran away. He went and had a pity party under a broom tree in the desert.
Like Elijah every Christian will face intimidation at some point in their lives. We should know that we are often most vulnerable to such an attack right after a momentous highlight or victory in our spiritual lives. That is not the time for a pity party. It is the time to refuel in the presence of the Lord.
Many heroes of the Bible faced intimidation that tried to stop or slow them down in their mission for God. Even today the devil will try to sop or slow down Christians who are taking ground for Jesus. He does that by frustrating our thinking and emotions. His weapons are condemnation and religious sounding lies about God’s character and love.
Yet God does not see you in your weakness. He sees you in your strength. He does not join in your pity party but reveals Himself to you, gives you purpose and direction. He is not angry with you. His anger was consumed in Jesus on the Cross. Now all that is left is love!
God sent angels to feed Elijah and He came and asked: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9). Then He sent him off on a new mission.
Whenever you feel drawn down by intimidation, depression and negativity – FEED ON JESUS! Get a revelation of God’s love for you. Be strengthened to continue on the course He’s set you on.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.