Sunday, September 8, 2013

By: Brandon Bilbo

Have You Ever Met Jezebel?

2 Corinthians 2:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Jezebel was a woman known for her propensity for manipulation and control. She thought nothing of having people killed so that she could have her way. She manipulated situations to make sure that the outcome was always in her favor. Besides being controlling and manipulative, it appeared as if she had an assignment directly from Satan to destroy the works of God. She even convinced her husband to build a statue of their false god, and she then had God's prophets murdered.

Jezebel and her husband King Ahab reigned in Israel at the same time the great prophet Elijah walked this earth. Elijah was a MIGHTY man of God. He once confronted 700 false, idolatrous prophets and was victorious in a supernatural showdown. His victory INFURIATED Jezebel.

She sent a message through her servants to Elijah that she would have him killed by the next day. Although Elijah saw amazing miracles in his life, the words of this treacherous woman sent him into hiding in a cave...requesting that God would just take his life.

Elijah felt as if he was all alone in his faith in God. He was weary and discouraged. Finally, in that cave, he heard the still, small voice of God asking, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

That Voice prompted Elijah to leave the cave and pursue his calling. Can you relate to Elijah? You know the power of God inside of you and have seen Him move in and through your life time and time again, but there are certain things...maybe people...that have the capability of sending you into hiding?

The Jezebel spirit is still at work today. It attempts to rob God's people of their potential and power in Him. This spirit can be so controlling as to cause individuals to take their own lives rather than face their circumstances... circumstances that God CAN defeat.

If you have allowed the deceitfulness of others to squelch the greatness in you or to drain the very life from you, I challenge you to ask yourself the same question God posed to Elijah long ago, "What are you doing here?" Come out of hiding. God is bigger than the words, the threats and the manipulation of others. He has a tremendous plan for your life. Recognize that Jezebel is NOTHING compared to God's power.

Dear Lord, Set me free from the manipulation of others that have led me to question the authority that You have given me. I thank You for Your great plans for my life.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Villain Series

Day 2: Jezebel