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Elijah’s Fire and Passion Attract Others
Elijah grew tired of his people’s spiritual rebellion and angry with the false prophets of Baal. He confronted both forces atop Mt. Carmel and allowed Yahweh to prove there is one true God even though Elijah was outnumbered 850 to 1 (1 Kings 18:19)! To put it mildly, no one had witnessed that kind of courage since David volunteered to fight the giant Goliath many unremembered years before. And like the underdog David, Elijah met the enemy with passion.
Leaders always need courage. No one who wants to bring about change can manage without courage. Courage flamed in Elijah’s heart because:
- His resolution outweighed his reservations. Although greatly outnumbered, Elijah resolved that Baal had to be confronted at any cost. He knew he needed to stand for what was right, no matter the cost (1 Kings 18:2-20).
- His desires outweighed his desperation. Although it meant risk, Elijah wanted to honor Yahweh more than anything else. He literally faced circumstances that only God’s fire would resolve (1 Kings 18:33-35).
- His compassion outweighed his complaints. Although Elijah hated the people’s attitude, he wanted them to find and follow Yahweh (1 Kings 18:37).
Lessons from Saul
On the outside, Saul was tall, good-looking, and well-built (1 Samuel 9:2). On the inside, however, he amounted to a little more than a shrimp. What can you learn from Saul’s life?
Courage and cowardice are both contagious.
When Goliath challenged Saul’s men, they fled to their tents; when David’s men faced vastly superior forces, they stood their ground, fought…and won (2 Samuel 23:8-12).
Without courage, it doesn’t matter how good your intentions are.
Saul had good intentions when he presented burnt offerings to the Lord. But he let his fear that the people would desert him control his actions (1 Samuel 13:13-14).
Only courage allows you to do what you are afraid of doing.
Saul showed his lack of courage from the beginning, when he hid among the baggage to avoid becoming king (1 Samuel 10:22).
If the leader lacks courage, the people will lack commitment.
Contrary to God’s command, Saul and the people spared the best of the livestock they captured from the Amalekites. Saul let it happen because, as he admitted, “I feared the people and obeyed their voice” (1 Samuel 15:24).
A leader without courage will never let go of the familiar.
Saul employed a medium to ask counsel of Samuel’s departed spirit–in direct violation of God’s law (1 Samuel 28:5-20). He lacked courage to trust God to help him step into an unknown future.
Lack of courage will eventually sabotage a leader.
Saul’s lack of courage eventually cost him–not only the throne of Israel, but also his own life and the life of his faithful son, Jonathan (1 Samuel 31:1-6).
May you learn from both Elijah and Saul…and as Joshua 1:9 says, “Be strong and courageous,” as you shoot for the stars!