13 Reasons To Keep GoingSample

GOD HAS PLANS FOR YOU

Bridge Keeper: “How did you fall in?”

Clarence: “I didn’t fall in. I jumped in to save George.”

George: “To save me?”

Clarence: “Well, I did, didn’t I? You didn’t go through with it, did you?”

George: “Through with what?”

Clarence: “Suicide.”

“I have had enough, Lord. Take my life.”

The first quote is an exchange between Jimmy Stewart’s character and Clarence the angel, sent to rescue him in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life.

That second quote isn’t from a movie. It’s from the Bible, from someone who had been used by God to do some incredible things: calling fire from heaven, raising the dead, running supernatural distances...

Elijah is known for performing some of the Bible’s greatest miracles. Yet, immediately after confronting and decisively defeating the false prophets of Baal, he wanted to die. Not just that, he actually prayed for God to take his life.

In 1 Kings 19, moments after his victory, Jezebel threatens Elijah. Despite having seen God work in fantastic ways, he has a panic attack.

“Elijah was afraid,” the account tells us, “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 brush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.”

Instead of taking his life, as Elijah requested, God sent an angel to care for him. The angel made him bread and provided him with water. ‘Get up and eat,” the angel told Elijah, “for the journey is too much for you.”

Is the journey too much for you? From time to time, it is for almost all of us. The journey of life is difficult – at times, overwhelming. We become physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. We want it to be over. 

Elijah did the right thing when he felt that way: he prayed. If you feel that way today, like you’ve had enough, pray. Tell God how you feel. 

In response to Elijah’s heartfelt prayer of desperation, God sent an angel to refresh him. Then God Himself showed up. Read 1 Kings 19:9-17. God revealed the plan He had. He also shared His plan for Elijah.

God is in control. He’s working in ways you can’t always see. And He has plans for you. 

PRAYER: God, I’m tired. I want to be done. I need you to refresh me. I need you to revive me. I need you to help me trust Your plans for my life.