Fear (Don’t Let it Hold You Back)

Message by: Eladio Peña

Fear

noun ~ an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat

verb ~ be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening

Fear is like having faith in the devil.

Getting up and preaching (in front of friends and family) has been a fear of Eladio, but God is calling him to do this - to stand in front of people and declare Jesus’ name.

Fear can really hold you captive if you don't take action against it

God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called.

Throughout the Bible, God uses people who aren't qualified.

Before we dive into 1 Kings 19, it is important to look at what happened in 1 Kings 18….

There were 450 prophets representing Baal vs. Elijah representing God (the one, true God). During this battle (of sorts), we see that Elijah was really the first trash talker (1 Kings 18:27). He was on the right side too, and he ultimately wins this battle because he is representing God. He slaughtered all 450 prophets.

So, he won this great victory…. What comes next is the lowest part of his life.

I Kings 19:1-4
[1] And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. [2] Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” [3] And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. [4] But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

After everything great that had just happened in chapter 18, Elijah is now in a great depression…the queen was tracking him down to kill him… He isn’t just fleeing, but he is fleeing from a queen. That is added pressure.

I Kings 19:5-16
[5] Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” [6] Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. [7] And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” [8] So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. [9] And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [10] So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” [11] Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; [12] and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. [13] So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [14] And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” [15] Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. [16] Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.

An angel is waking Elijah up and providing for him… then God shows him things and then sends him on a journey and gives him a purpose.

Even though Elijah had a great fear, God never left him and used him.

What are we afraid of? What is holding us back from God's calling?

Fear is a big thing in our lives until we realize how big our God is.

If you're afraid today, know that you're not alone. The Bible tells us that God is always with us, and He is.

Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

If you're struggling with fear, seek other Christians to come along side you and empower and pray for you.

We are so glad that Eladio overcame his fear and shared this message. We are all called to step out in faith like Eladio did today - to preach the Good News to everyone!