by Gelly Nic
Sometimes in life, we may face a situation which is particularly challenging. Today, let’s look at how two men in the Bible turned to God at a severe crisis point.
“Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.””
Jonah 4:3 NIV
“… [Elijah] 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.””
1 Kings 19:4 NIV
In both cases, these were words spoken after a great victory, for God’s glory! Elijah had called down God’s fire (1 Kgs 18:21-39) and Jonah’s prophetic message from God had spurred the Ninevites to change their ways (Jonah 3:3-10). So what went wrong?
Their crisis points were different. Elijah’s was externally prompted by the threat to his life from Jezebel (1 Kgs 19:1-2). He had just witnessed the incredible power of God, yet he felt alone and powerless. He was spent, and Jezebel’s threat was the final straw. On the one hand, Elijah wanted God to take his life, yet on the other, he believed that he was the only one left being zealous for God. He had given his all, but Elijah saw himself as falling short in his commitment to God. He had just witnessed, and so publicly pointed to, God’s awesome power. When challenged by Jezebel, was it the frailty of his humanity which caused him to say, “I’m no better than my ancestors”? He had been pointing to God, but when Jezebel suddenly pointed to him, did he lose sight of God? With Jezebel’s prompting, Elijah took his eyes off what God had achieved, instead viewing only his weakness. God ministered to him (1 Kgs 19:5-9).
In contrast to Elijah’s story, Jonah appears to selfishly consider that God had wasted his time (Jonah 4:1-3)! He was reluctant to get involved in turning back the lives of the Ninevites, knowing God’s grace and might. He rejected God’s calling for his life initially. When corrected, he followed through. Yet, rather than being prompted by God’s heart for these people, Jonah’s focus was on himself and his comfort (Jonah 4:5-9). God used His message through Jonah to speak to the Ninevites. They, responding and repenting, received God’s mercy.
In some aspects, both men were focused on their role and their strength as they reached this crisis point. Elijah offered himself to God, but could see himself falling short. Jonah reluctantly offered his efforts to the Lord, but he despised God’s openness to the Ninevites. Both experienced impatience when looking at their situation. For Elijah, it was impatience with himself; for Jonah, it was impatience with God’s grace.
When we take our eyes off the Lord, we may see our weakness and vulnerability, as Elijah did. Yet God was not limited by Elijah’s weakness. Alternatively, we may overemphasise our part, and not have the eyes to see how God is using our circumstances in His bigger plan (2 Cor 1:3-4).
Rather than see our lives as something to be taken, let us see our lives as something to be graciously given for God’s glory (John 3:16). In our current crisis, we are not alone (Heb 13:5). The Lord is with us (Matt 28:20). Let us have eyes to see beyond ourselves, knowing that we can trust the care of ourselves to God (Ps 139:16). Where is God calling you to glorify Him today? Step up in faith and obedience, keeping your focus on Him, and experiencing strengthening from Him.
Gelly Nic seeks to share God’s Word with others, that each may know and experience the incredible love and faithfulness of our God, who draws near to us as we draw near to Him (Jas 4:8). Her heart prayer is that those on the margins would find grace and true fellowship in God, and with His people.
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