1 Kings 18:45-46 Run!

 “Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”

‭‭I Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭45‬-‭46‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

a. There was a heavy rain: God’s word through Elijah was proved true. The long drought was over, and it was demonstrated that the prayers of Elijah both withheld the rain and then subsequently brought the rain.

b. Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab: This was an obviously supernaturally empowered 14-mile cross-country run. We don’t know exactly why it was important to God for Elijah to reach Jezreel first; perhaps it was so that he would be the first to tell Queen Jezebel.

i. “To demonstrate that he was neither ashamed of, nor afraid for, what he had done, though he knew how Jezebel would resent it, but durst venture himself in the midst of his enemies, as being confident of the Divine power and protection.” (Poole)

ii. “That Elijah could have made such a run is assured in that Arab runners could easily cover one hundred miles in two days.” (Patterson and Austel)

(Guzik)

Run! 🏃 

Elijah was running for God and was supernaturally empowered. 

But we have two choices, run to God or run from God!

Jonah chose to run from God! “But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” ‭‭Jonah‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

But like Jonah when we run from God He will run after us!

“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When we run from God sometimes the Lord has to bring us low to get our attention! Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, and what did he do? He prayed!

Are you running to or from God?

Blessings