Running For Your Life
This is an audio recording of Running for Your Life the Day 12 entry in Today: Devotions for Seafarers (Vol. 2) by Jason Zuidema.
Listen to the audio by Donielle Hart Goad or read the text below:
“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
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.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.””
More people run for their lives every day in our time than ever before. In the news we often find harrowing stories of flight from famine, disease, or war. Many seafarers know firsthand the desperation of refugees from Africa and the Middle East who risk traveling across the Mediterranean Sea in unsafe boats. Seafarers are called upon regularly to rescue them and bring them to safety.
Such desperation is especially true of people fleeing persecution because of race or religion. For example, there are prayer groups of Christians in many countries of the world who live in daily fear of capture. They know they might have to move from their homes if the authorities become too interested in their meetings. Elijah also ran for his life. This was no serene journey; the wicked queen Jezebel wanted to kill him. He was so full of fear that he prayed for his life to end. Elijah had tried to bring the people back to God, but it seemed to him that he had failed. Elijah thought he was the only one left who believed in God.
But God reassured him (see 1 King 19:6-18). God revealed his magnificent power and his compassionate tenderness. The Lord showed Elijah that the world could not stand against his divine will. Elijah learned that he was not alone: more than seven thousand others in Israel had not bowed down to Baal, the false God of Jezebel.
Elijah found that he did not have to run in fear— he could walk forward in faith.
For Further Thought
Why are so many Christians persecuted for their faith?
Has anyone ever criticized or mocked your beliefs?
Why did Elijah not have to fear?
Prayer
Dear Lord, sometimes I fear that the forces of evil are overwhelming. I know that help is found only in your name. So I call to you for help in facing the challenges of my life. Amen.
