“When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day’s journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—to just die: “Enough of this, GOD! Take my life—I’m ready to join my ancestors in the grave!” Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush. Suddenly an angel shook him awake and said, “Get up and eat!” 1 Kings 19:3-5 MSG
“Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at GOD, “ GOD! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!
“So, GOD, if you won’t kill them, kill me! I’m better off dead!”
Jonah 4:1-3 MSG
Hahaha... Have you ever prayed those prayers to God? Aren’t you glad He didn’t listen to you? We are a sorry lot aren’t we? At the slightest opposition or disappointment, we’re ready to give up the ghost and die. Except when death truly comes a calling, as in the form of a terminal disease. Then we run to every doctor and specialist to find the cure, travel land and sea, mortgage the house, sell everything to live. Hahaha I’m cracking myself up 😂🤣
Didn’t you want to die? What changed? Reality! All of a sudden it wasn’t that bad. Hahaha lol but what if God was adamant about your foolish request and wanted to grant it? There would be nothing you could do. Praise Jesus that all He heard was blah blah. We have been wired to handle more than we think. Our desire to die is outweighed by His desire for us to fulfill our destiny. Had Elijah died at the time of his request we wouldn’t have read about Elisha, had Jonah died as he requested, because he wanted the Ninevites to be annihilated, we wouldn’t be reading about the revival that took place.
Think of all the foolish prayers we’ve prayed. Aren’t you glad you’re here to laugh about it? Think of the things you requested that you thought you were ready for, marriage, promotion, relocation, children, money, college, ministry...all good things. But in God’s foreknowledge, the timing of the request was not suitable for where He’s taking you. I have both hands and feet up shouting hallelujah thank you Jesus!!! I would’ve made shipwreck of my life and yours. Anything gained prematurely sets us up for failure, no matter how good it is.
Fear, disappointment, discouragement, bad advice, wrong influences, impatience, selfish ambition, all pave the way to a great crash. It’s in those moments that we want to “die.” The enemy’s voice screams, END IT ALL! Death is better than this! IT’S A LIE!! You are built on a firm foundation! His Name is Jesus! Shout through the fear! I AM BUILT ON A FIRM FOUNDATION! HIS NAME IS JESUS!! Hallelujah to the Lamb of God.
I speak to the spirit of suicide right now! In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! You will live and not die to declare the mighty works of God in your life! Satan I command you in the Name of Jesus to take your hands off God’s property! The blood of Jesus covers my sister my brother -you have no claim to their lives in Jesus Name! Shout! Whoever you are! God has given you the victory in Jesus Name!!
Don’t know what that’s about but He knows. We have more to live for in Him. The enemy will not use what has already been defeated to defeat us. We don’t listen to his voice, we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, He speaks for our Good Shepherd. Don’t give up! You’re in the middle of your greatest victory! Hallelujah!
The situation may look impossible to you, but that’s when God does His best work, nothing is impossible with Him. Sometimes the heat gets turned up as it was for the three Hebrew boys, but that’s just so the enemy can die in his own trap. Hallelujah!
The fire is your victory, the lions den is your victory, the loss of a job is your promotion, the end of a relationship is your victory, count as gain what you considered loss. Hallelujah! Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding! Elijah heard Jezebel’s voice over God’s victory, Jonah listened to his own biases over God’s plan of victory. But you don’t have to wish for death. Someone has already died for you. And conquered death for you! Shout His Name till the devil gets a migraine! JESUS! JESUS! JESUS! Give God the glory and He will give you the victory!!
My brother my sister, if this is for you. Seek godly counsel. The battle isn’t yours to fight, it is the Lord’s. You’ll get through this. Cry out! Lift up your voice to Him! He’s ready to help you.
Father in the Name of Jesus,
Thank you first of all for revealing the enemy’s plan. Thank you for always having our backs. You are indeed our rear guard. What a friend we have in Jesus! Thank you for daily watching over us, hearing our secret desires whether good or bad. Thank you for loving us so much that you ignore the ignorance of our prayers. Heal, save and deliver as only You can. We run to you. In Jesus Name.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant