Everyday Miracles: 20 Day Journey With Elijah And Elishaنموونە

If the game goes into overtime, God always wins. 

In the spring of 2018, the Baylor Bears men’s basketball team was scrapping for every game in hopes of making the big dance. In one important matchup, the Bears led the Texas Longhorns almost the whole game. At the end, the game seemed neatly in hand. I know what the Bears were thinking. In just a few seconds, the buzzer will sound and we’ll start celebrating. While they were looking forward to the fun bus ride home, Texas inbounded the ball with almost no time left. Suddenly, their guard heaved the unlikely shot and, as the buzzer sounded, the three-pointer swished to tie the game. 

Overtime. The Bears thought they’d finished. They thought they’d won. And, suddenly, they had to gear up for five more minutes of the fight. 

Ever had a time when life handed you “overtime?” Elijah did. The mighty prophet of Israel had defeated 450 prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel and proven Yahweh to be the one, supreme Lord of all. Then, out of nowhere, the pagan queen Jezebel (who had invested a lot in the prophets of Baal) threatened Elijah’s life. 

It’s odd. Elijah had seen the fire of God fall. Elijah had experienced God’s power and might. Elijah, as much as any man alive in Israel, knew that God was sovereign. But the Queen’s threat landed with great force in Elijah’s soul. Why? It was “overtime” for Elijah. He had given his all, thought he’d won, and the sudden thought of having to fight another day just seemed like too much. The mighty prophet became depressed and retreated into the wilderness. He gave up. 

“Overtime” comes when you least expect it. Perhaps your marriage goes through a big crisis and you’re reconciled but, all of a sudden, one argument seems to threaten it all. Or, maybe you’re a business owner and you landed the big contract when, all of a sudden, a competitor surfaces with a competing bid. Or, maybe the chemo treatments are over, but there is a new scan that raises questions and new treatment is recommended. Overtime. 

The Bears didn’t beat the Longhorns in overtime last year. They beat them in double overtime! When Elijah went into “overtime” God sent an angel to feed him and tell him there was still a great journey ahead. If you’re in “overtime” God will feed and lead you too. And that’s the Gospel!

Questions for Reflection:

1) What has been your greatest “overtime” victory in life? How did God sustain you when you had to “get back in the game?”

2) Why do you think someone as faith-filled as Elijah was susceptible to discouragement and depression? Have you ever had a time in which you were discouraged to the point of despair? How did God feed you and lead you?

3) We assume that we’re more vulnerable to the devil’s taunts when we’re already down – when we already feel defeated. But Elijah’s temptation toward despair came on the heels of a great victory. Have you ever had a time of discouragement that followed a high, victorious time in your life? Journal your memories of both the high and the low that followed. How did you experience God’s grace? 

Prayer for the Day

Lord, when the spirit of Jezebel attacks, I know you are near. There is no discouragement that can overtake me when I know you are with me. When the unexpected “overtime” moments of life catch me by surprise, give me the grace to continue in the full armor of God. Though discouragement may crouch at the door, show me the great journey that you have set before me. Lift up my head and give my eyes new vision for this new day. Thank you for the victory that has been secured in Jesus. It is in His name I pray, AMEN.