The Champion in Elijah:
Elijah had his ups and downs, just like we all do. What made him stand out is at the end of the story; he lived out of his higher nature, rather than his lower nature. He did not allow the temporal interruption of doubt to have full sway in his heart. He doubted, but never forgot his source. He was moved but never forgot where his sustenance comes from. So, rather than all that which befell him take him away from God, he ran to God. He ran to his source.
Aristotle teaches, "it is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." Why? The aim of the darkness that hits us is to immobilize. It is terror, and as terror does, wants us to think it is all there is. We must not buy into its merchandise. No matter the circumstance of life we find ourselves in, there is always something we can do. We can go to our source, and trust Him for the next step. We can stay faithful in the last word we heard from Him.
The Vision that Makes Whole:
We see a similar disposition in Job. What a man of faith he was? We will probably never fully understand what his wife meant by him cursing God and dying. All glory to God, Job was wiser and much stronger than that. He was dejected, just like Elijah and Cain. Sin had several suggestions for him, just as well. Job, like Elijah, and unlike Cain, understood his source, and held so tightly in faith, irrespective of the beatings of life.
Job saw beyond his immediate pains and saw the glory at the end of the ages. [Job 19:25-27; Psalms 130] Like, Jesus Christ, [Hebrews 12:2] his vision of the end gave him strength in bearing with the immediate, temporal pain. He knew and did not forget the source of all that is good in him. [James 1:17] He appreciated the fact he might not always understand his ways. He preset his boundary conditions to ALWAYS trust in God. [Job 13:15]
The Ball is back in our Court:
When there is a crisis in your life, do you know, do you have who, and where to run to? Do you run to, or from God? Is He your last resort or do you have some other option(s) in your back pocket? Is anyone else bigger than God in your life? Or, will you say like Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15a) Though I don’t understand the picture, nor see clearly, yet will I trust Him. He is the only constant in this ever-changing world.
Our reference and definition of things ought to always be in comparison to Him, who changed not. [Malachi 3:6; James 1:17] Changing things cannot, and will never define our God. Rather, our God gives definition and meaning to the changing circumstances and situations. We might not always understand, but we can always trust. That is all He requires of us. That is why He says,
“Always be joyful. Always keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, TLB)
© 2015 Akin Akinbodunse.
Links to Related Articles:
The Power in You (A Personal Testimony) — Part Four.
The Power in You (A Personal Testimony) — Part Six.
Links to Other Resources:
Rebirth (Julianna Olayode)Saving Ourselves from Suicide (Linda Pacha)
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