1 Kings 19:4

New International Version

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, 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.”

For Meditation

O, that Elijah knew what the Lord had planned for him!

But why should he? Everybody must die at one point or another, for death is the common denominator for all humans (Hebrews 9:27). Elijah expected nothing beyond that. So why not now?

After his victory on Mount Carmel, the veritable prophet of God receives a death threat from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:3). Elijah runs for his life, sits under a broom tree, and prays that he dies. He is tired and sore afraid, so the prophet of God surmises he is no better than his ancestors. Just as they all died, and he too will die eventually, so why not then.

Have you traveled on that road before? Have you ever wished that death should come sooner than later?

Throughout history before Elijah, the Bible had recorded the story of only one person—Enoch—that God took to heaven without seeing death (Genesis 5:24). Elijah never thought he would be the second person in the unique category. He prayed for what God had not intended for him—that he would die. Do you see how we pray amiss—how we pray for just the opposite thing God has planned for us??

God is good. He did not give Elijah what he asked for. He instead prepared him for a “Chariot of Fire and Horses” flight by a whirlwind to heaven (2 Kings 2:11).

If only you knew the plan of God for your life, your stress level would drop drastically! Things may be traumatic for you now, and you consider you should quit. Hang on, my friend. God has not finished with you. What you will receive from the Lord for your faithful service and Christian integrity will more than compensate for your struggles now.

God has a surprise for you. You better believe it!

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