Let’s take a look at a passage of Scripture that just jumped out at me. I love the Book of Romans, and this is something I have never noticed before.
“Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”” Romans 11:2b-4 NLT
I love this example of God exposing the lies that Elijah believed. I think many times we subconsciously buy into lies of the enemy and do not realize we have done so. We have to allow the Lord to uncover those lies and bring us back into what He says is true. This passage of scripture is a step-by-step guide on how to do this.
First, Elijah the prophet complained to God. Read it again, it was a vent session that went like this, “Everything is terrible, look what they did, I’m all alone and you have done nothing about it!” Our prayer life needs come from a relationship with God. We need to feel so intimate with Him that we drop the “holy mask” we wear and are real with Him. God is a safe to expose our true feeling and thoughts. Because let’s be real, He knows them already. We are only lying to ourselves when we try to hide our true feelings and emotions from God. He is a big God, He is not afraid to hear our complaints.
Second, Elijah stopped venting. I know it doesn’t say that, but he had to in order to HEAR from God. So once we talk with (vent to) God we have to be still enough to hear what He has to say about the matter. Can you imagine a relationship where someone ranted and raved at you and then walked without giving you a chance to speak? God has things to say to us too. Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Quiet yourself so you can hear what the Lord is saying to you regarding the situation.
Third, believe what God says. This is the hardest part to me. When God responded to Elijah that there were 7,000 who had never bowed to Baal, Elijah had a choice – believe God or believe his feelings. God says there are 7,000 who have not bowed – Elijah’s emotions said he was serving God all alone. What are you going to do with what God says to you? It takes faith to believe what He says in spite of what your emotions are screaming at you.
Here is what I am challenging you to do. Take a moment and ask God these questions:
God, what lie do I believe?
God, what is the truth?
God, give me the faith and strength to exchange the lie for the truth.