KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH!(4)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH! (4).*

*Scripture Treasure.*

1 Kgs 19: 9-18.

*And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?*

*And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.*

*And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:*

*And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.*

*And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?*

*And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.*

*Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

God may not promise a smooth journey, but He promises a safe destination.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Things that are almost impossible to understand may be understandable when you take into account threats, persecution, imprisonment, challenges, and trials and what these things do to vessels of God.

John the Baptist, having done so much and recognizing Jesus as the Lamb of God who had come to save us from our sins gave a chilling statement that expresses the gruesome treatment of the imprisonment he was facing when he asked his disciples to ask Jesus if he was

*"....he that should come, or do we look for another?* Matthew 11:2-3.

Elijah had a victory over the prophets of Baal, but there was more journey ahead of him, 1 Kgs 19:17-18.

After *"......forty days and forty nights...."* on Horeb, the mount of God, 1 Kgs 19: 8,

He found rest on his new destination.

He *".....came thither unto a cave, and lodged there;......"*

In the cave, the word of the Lord came to him, 1 Kgs 19:9.

Though the cave was not where God expected him, He prepared Elijah by feeding him for the cave encounter with Him.

As it was so impossible to understand that Elijah would flee, his ordeal teaches us that God may either allow smooth or not so smooth journeys but we can be assured that wherever we find ourselves He may make our destination a safe one, if we submit to Him.

The journey between where we are now and where God is taking us may not carry His overall protection as we expect and we may not receive God's promise of protection from enemy attacks in the journey of life, but we can be assured that if we are in His plans, He will secure our final destination.

Joseph, from the moment he had the two dreams, went through phases of unimaginable suffering, but God secured his final destination.

Joseph was 17 years old when he had two dreams. He was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh, Gen 37:3; 41:46.

On his untold hardship that went unabated for well over thirteen years, he told his brothers, *But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.*, Gen 50:20.

We must live to understand that though it is hard to believe a man of God may run in the midst of adversity, as understandable as it may be, they are not admissible excuses to God as the right approach to solving our problems.

We must look for that way of escape, God provides as mentioned in 1 Cor 10:13.

The way of escape Elijah chose was not God's, but God showed up to bring help to him.

Whichever way of escape from trouble we choose, as long as it is not like Saul's choice of the witch of Endor, calling on God in our time of trouble makes a great difference.

He is merciful.

Keep your head high!

Believe God can cover you in your destination.

*Remorse corner.*

God often teaches us His presence may not be an absence of trouble. At times, trouble is inevitable, but when we pass through them and they take their toll on us, He promises we shall be protected!

*Call to Word action.*

Isaiah 43:2.

*When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.*

*The Christian clarion duty.*

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is one of many perfect examples that teaches us that we may not have a peaceful journey in life but God promises a safe ending/destination, Dan 3:16-18.

*Prayer.*

Lord, see me through life's troubles. Come through for me always in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day today.

God bless you.