Face to Face With Jesus - a Lenten MeditationSample

Elijah was one of the greats. An MVP (most valuable prophet) almost. He stood up against one of the vilest, most wicked pair of rulers and challenged them to a duel. He spoke the truth of God to a hardened people and stood his ground even when he went unheard.

He was rough and tough by the looks of it but even he almost gave up. With the kind of victory he won over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he should have been thrilled and motivated to do greater things. Unfortunately, when he heard of Queen Jezebel’s death threats he got dejected and went into hiding. It’s interesting that God never asked him to run and hide, but he chose to do just that and God intercepts his doom and gloom mindset. Following two long naps in the deserts during which he is fed by an angel, he's then asked to take a forty-day journey to Mount Horeb, the mountain of the Lord. God met with him there and whispered instructions to him.

Elijah had a script that he repeatedly narrated to the One who called him when asked what he was doing there. God responded to his honest grief and self-pity with a renewed vision and defined purpose. Elijah is sent back to anoint two kings and one prophet while revealing to him that there was a remnant out there who hadn’t bowed to Baal. In essence, God gave Elijah a reason to hope and not give up.

Questions to ask yourself

Am I discouraged with how my life has turned out?

Have there been times when I wanted to just give up?

What keeps me going?