Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Journey with the Risen Christ

1st Kings 19: 1-13
In 1st Kings 19, we find a prophet on the run. The prophet Elijah had been informed by a messenger that Jezebel seeks to take his life. This message alone was enough to drive Elijah into the wilderness. There, Elijah prayed a melancholic prayer “that he might die” (1st Kings 19: 4 NKJV). A prayer of this nature might be perplexing to us as modern day readers and believers of Scripture. At that moment, Elijah did not have the energy to continue running the race of faith. He was, on the surface at least, a defeated prophet. In our study of Scripture, do we fail to humanize the men and women that God mightily used? Looking ahead to the New Testament, Elijah is referenced quite a few times. James writes in his epistle that “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5: 17 NKJV). In other words, he was just like one of us. 
When the enemy presses near in our lives, we may feel as discouraged and hopeless as Elijah did. In his time of crisis, the Lord sent a messenger of His own to Elijah. Now this angelic messenger was unlike the messenger we read about earlier in the chapter. The angelic messenger came to provide physical and spiritual nourishment to Elijah. Here, we are reminded of God’s watchful gaze. He is well aware of the needs of His children. Can we recall a time when we were in need and God sent a timely reminder to us? Perhaps it was a family member who called or sent us a text message. Or maybe it was a friend who invited us to get food together. Time and time again, God sends His peace that surpasses all understanding into the lives of those who trust in Him. Not only is this evidenced in Scripture, but also, in our own daily lives.
In this spiritual season of journeying with the risen Christ, let us take a moment to examine Elijah as he hit a wall of uncertainty. He laid out his heart before the Lord. God heard the prayers of his afflicted soldier, and He met him exactly where he was: in the wilderness. The same principle applies with Jesus Christ. When the force of our burdens seemingly crush us, Jesus invites us to come to Him. One of the most comforting promises to hold onto is that He will give us rest when we draw near unto Him.
 
Prayer
 Heavenly Father, we come to you as our shield and rampart. You have promised to journey alongside us and not to abandon us as orphans. We place our complete trust in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Thought for the day:
“No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand. The battle belongs to the Lord”. 
– John Michael Talbot


Christin Mathew
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church

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