Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there.—1 Kings 19:3

The deadliest blow is that which you did not see coming. It has the power of surprise and lands with a lethal force that spins a million stars in the eyes. I did not see it coming has been the regret many are singing today, and Elijah could have sung it better in the wilderness of his life. 

He won the showdown on Mount Carmel because God Almighty showed up with fire from heaven, but Baal could not. The people affirmed the LORD as God indeed (1 Kings 18:39). Elijah ordered the slaughter of all the prophets of Baal, and God closed the chapter with a heavy downpour in over three years. Mission accomplished, right?

I believe Elijah went home, knelt to thank the Lord, and sat down to eat. Just then, the messenger of Jezebel arrived at his door, pushing his way into the house before the servant of Elijah could get out of his way.

“In case you have forgotten, Elijah! She-who-must-be-obeyed, Queen Jezebel, is in charge of this country, and nobody embarrasses her the way you did today. She swears by her gods that you will be dead by tomorrow like the prophets of Baal you slaughtered today,” the messenger said (19:2). [Dramatized]. 

Whacked in the face from the blindside!

Elijah’s heart hammered in his chest. He grabs his mantle, runs into the wilderness, lies under a broom bush, and prays to God to take his life (3-5). He did not see the sudden approach of the fury of Jezebel, and it hit him on the wrong side.

When situations blindside us, we lose our balance, and reason escapes us. We forget the God who has carried us all the way and His mighty hand in battle. Otherwise, how could Elijah be afraid when Jezebel swore by her gods that had proved to be no gods that day? How could he forget the fire of God in answer to his prayer so soon? But that is the danger of the blindside blow. It confuses and drags the faithful down to weary land.

God is faithful, my friend! He knows the surprises coming your way, and He has a plan for them. Elijah wanted to die, but God had not finished with him. He twice fed his weary servant on hot-baked bread and refreshed him with cold water. The divine meal strengthened him to walk forty days and nights to the Mountain of God for a rendezvous with Him (8).

You, too, may not have seen the financial blow that has your head spinning. It caught you on the wrong side. Neither did you ever imagine sitting down with your spouse to discuss divorce. And how could you? Your marriage was a model one and a testimony to the Lord. How about that prodigal child after all the family fellowship and training in godliness, or the surprise announcement that has you clearing your desk and facing an uncertain future? 

Whatever your situation is, remember the bread of God and a dejected Elijah in his wilderness. Jesus is a God of surprises, and nothing is impossible for Him. Trust in His sovereign grace to sustain you in what He chooses for your situation. But for me, the verdict is clear.

That blindside blow will not knock you out. God has the last punch to throw on your behalf for your victory.