Great Plans

Read 1 Kings 19:1-15 - Elijah loses his confidence

Years ago, Bob LaForge, from New Jersey, ran a large community outreach event for their church. Thousands of people came, and it went well. But at the end, one person made a critical remark, and Bob went home thinking only about what they had said. Because of that one complaint, Bob felt like the entire event had failed.

In 1 Kings 19, we read how Elijah experienced something similar. He had recently performed two of his greatest miracles: defeating the prophets of Baal and ending the drought with his prayer. Elijah was doing great things with God: helping vulnerable people, destroying false gods, and saving a region from disaster. But then Jezebel threatened him. After all his great work, Elijah lost his confidence, went off by himself, and wanted to die. For Elijah, that one negative experience seemed to outweigh everything else.

Elijah's loss of confidence is all too familiar. After all, James 5:17 tells us that Elijah was just like us. But when God brought Elijah food for strength and gave him a task, he realized that God still had good plans for him. And he accomplished more great things through God's power and grace. Just as God still had great plans for Elijah, God also has great plans for us.

Prayer: Dear God, show us opportunities to grow through criticism and accomplish even more for you, in Jesus' name. Amen.