I’ve Been Thinking
“God Has A Plan For Us”
28th August 2010
I’ve Been Thinking
“About Blind Faith”
21st August 2010
I’ve Been Thinking
“You Can’t See God Yet Trust Him”
14th August 2010
3rd October 2009 |
| Posted by John Gummer (john) on Oct 14 2009 |
1 Kings 19:3-4. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4. while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." NIV
Given power from God, Elijah fights against the prophets of Baal, predicts rain, and outruns Ahab's chariot. However, Elijah is totally flattened when Jezebel swears to kill him. His energy deserts him, and he sinks into deep despair.
God doesn’t encourage Elijah to pull himself together. Instead, God provides rest, food, and water. After enduring a 40-day trek to Mount Horeb and experiencing wild winds, earthquake, and fire, Elijah hears God's voice telling him to return the way he came. His suffering is not over, and he still has a demanding journey ahead. Yet we can see that God has been with Elijah during these dark times and still has important work for Elijah to do.
I’ve been thinking, have you ever been in such a dark place that there seemed no way out? I once lived in a place where I struggled to feel at home, and after only one year I wanted out, as I was feeling like a failure. However, with God’s help I stuck it out for five years in that very same place and with the very same people, and was encouraged.
We all eventually encounter dark times; we find ourselves in dark places. But God still has important work for us to do and we have to move on with Him.
Prayer
God our companion, help us always to feel your guiding presence, especially when times are difficult. Amen.
Thought
"'I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, '. . . plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jer. 29:11 NIV).
Focus
People who feel stuck and are feeling a failure
Last changed: Oct 14 2009 at 9:25 AM
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