1 Kings 18:46 The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

This was another miracle, but not being as dramatic as the immediately previous “power encounter” it doesn’t get as much press (though I have seen a photograph of an oil painting someone did of it). We occasionally get news reports of people doing seemingly impossible things for a brief time, like lifting a car off of someone, but this was a sustained event. I don’t know how far it is from Carmel to Jezreel, but it was surely more than a few hundred yards. Even if Ahab’s chariot was moving slowly, this was a sustained effort at pretty remarkable speed. Frankly, I don’t know why Elijah would have gone to Jezreel at this point, because the following events show that it was dangerous territory for him. The whole point to me is simply that God provides the strength and endurance we need to accomplish whatever He indicates we are to do. Sometimes we really need to be reminded of that! God told Paul that His grace is sufficient for us, (2 Corinthians 12:9) but when difficulties loom over us we can have trouble believing it. Peter points out that faith is worth more than Gold, (1 Peter 1:7) so God allows us to get into situations that stretch our faith and deepen it. As has been said, He is far more interested in our character than our comfort.

I don’t enjoy being forced to grow any more than other people do, but I have seen good results when I have stopped protesting what God intends for my blessing. My immediate situation is hardly one I would have chosen, but it has caused me to pray a good bit more than I had been doing. That’s good! I don’t know what the hours, days, weeks and years ahead hold, but I do know that God loves me and His plans for me are good. (Jeremiah 29:11) I need to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to Him and do exactly what He says, whether it makes any sense to me at the moment or not. It would be especially shocking if He told me to run the way Elijah did, since I’ve never been a runner, but if He says to do it, I need to be obedient. The tasks that seem to be ahead are much less physical but no less difficult. I am not to draw back at any point, but as Paul said, I am to press on, keeping my eyes on the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

Father, thank You for the assurance that You will get me through everything, whether it feels like a kick in the stomach, a slog through mud, or stepping off of a cliff. Thank You that there are no surprises for You, so all I have to do is follow You. Thank You for what You have done in this week in the city gallery. I frankly don’t know what that is, since attendance has been sparse, but You have allowed me to speak Your truth to a few people. I pray that this last day, including taking everything down, would go smoothly and we would be accurate representatives of Christ, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!