But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
A prominent prophet in the Bible, Elijah is renowned for his notable displays of faith and miracles. What stands out is his courage to risk it all to make a stand for God. Even when his devotion and obedience to the one true God put his life at risk, Elijah did it anyway. He never played it safe.
Elijah was first mentioned in 1 Kings 17 when he confronted King Ahab for his evil deeds. Immediately after proclaiming a drought upon the land, the Lord instructed Elijah to leave and hide in the ravine. Three and a half years later, he challenged the Baal prophets to call for fire from heaven and then slaughtered them all. Queen Jezebel persecuted him, and he was forced to flee for his life. Despite this, Elijah never stopped living courageously for God. Elijah’s story is more than just a tale of survival. It is a living lesson on what it means to quit playing it safe to rise to our destiny.
Not one to languish in comfort zones, Elijah would rather live the life of a fugitive than turn a blind eye to evil. He would rather stand alone with God than cower to a nation of Baal prophets. He would rather cling to his unshakeable faith that there will be fire from heaven, although all he has are water-soaked altars.
When everything around Elijah fell apart, God ensured his safety and his sustenance. God sent the least expected messengers – ravens and an impoverished widow on the brink of starvation to provide. And when death visited the widow’s house, God reversed it. Every step of Elijah’s journey made no sense. But Elijah obeyed, and God proved to be present in every turn. In our times of need, God will use the unexpected to provide for us. His help will come from unexpected places. He will send ravens instead of angels. He will redirect our paths instead of filling our brooks. He will take us to unlikely people to receive our jar of flour and oil. He will also allow something to die just to demonstrate His power to raise it again. It is the way God works throughout the Bible. I believe that God uses such inconceivable ways to prove the indisputable truth that it can only be the work of God. If only we have eyes to see.
We are not meant to stay in the boat. We are invited to walk on water with Jesus! If you want to know what your destiny is, you must step out of your boat. Fear may keep you safe. But fear can also rob you of your destiny. It can keep you from believing, from using your gifts and from answering your calling. The biggest regret isn’t sinking. The biggest regret is never stepping out of the boat. God honours faith, even trembling ones. If your faith falters, Jesus is there to catch you. We can step out if we trust the Saviour instead of the river. We can go from being mediocre to becoming God’s miraculous. Destiny requires decisions, and decisions require courage. The God who answers by fire is still with you. The God who called Peter to walk on water is the same God who is calling you to quit playing it safe and step out. What is God calling you to take a risk on today?
DAILY MEDITATIONS:
Monday: Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Tuesday: Psalm 139:16
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Wednesday: 1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Thursday: Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
Friday: Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Saturday: 2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Sunday: Isaiah 55:11
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
All scriptures are quoted from the New International Version (NIV).
By Pastor Katherine Han
