Thoughts for another day

Nov. 22, 2012.

Today's verse: 1 Kgs. 19:4b. 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 - copyright ack.)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Life leads us through many ups and downs and like I say, more downs than ups; particularly for us who follow Christ, as only then are we on our toes as far as God is concerned; and we keep our focus on Him.  Some years ago, I suffered from a severe stomach problem and used to have much pain as well as bear the anxiety that such a disease can bring with it: of imminent death.  The good Lord healed me but I used to tell Him not to heal me fully so He could use the pain as a lever to keep me in check from committing sin!  This may sound irrational to many; as the world would think it stupid, for it never wants any discomfort.  But God keeps us so, that we may not stray but be close to Him.

God kept Israel in a place surrounded by enemies so that they would always rely on Him and keep His precepts.  The moment they experienced peace, they forsook Him and sinned.  And God then sent them fiery trials through their enemies around them to correct their erroneous ways and keep them in check.  Now the more a person has connect with God, the more that person is kept in check and that's a great Grace, because without God's help there's no way one can avoid sin.  At times, the trial from God is really painful but at those times, one must take recourse to God, nay, rather run to Him. 

That's what Elijah did when Jezebel vowed to kill him.  The trial seemed too tough to bear for a man who a little earlier had experienced such a dramatic display of God's power and had destroyed the 450 prophets of baal!  When I read this episode in the Bible, I feel comforted in the realization that if Elijah, such a great prophet of God, felt so low to want to end his life, what about me, a mere human who is so far from God!  Remember, for God to redeem from such situations is very easy; just the sense of His Presence can drive away any fear or danger from us.  Later on Mount Horeb, when God visits Elijah, God doesn't even speak about his malady which he had so sorrowfully narrated to God, rather, God makes him feel His Presence and tells him what to do further!  With that Elijah is calmed and goes about the task God gives him.  You too may feel defeated and tired about some issue in your life; but fret not and keep your focus on God.  Just as He worked in Elijah's life, He will work in yours too.