05.23.14

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” - 1 Kings 19:1-4 NKJV. 

In the city of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, taxi drivers have found a solution to non-paying fares. Although it does seem a little harsh…. Drivers force the non-paying fares to disrobe, and then they pour blue paint over them. In defense of the drivers, they say they have repeatedly taken the non-paying fares to the police and that the police do nothing but give them some “harmless” punishment. Of course, customers have a very different view of the treatment. One non-paying fare was made to run across the city without any clothes smeared with blue paint. The man said, “They pushed me out of the car, started beating me. Threatened me that if I do not find the money, they will put me on the counter. One minute equals 100 rubles. They threw me into a pit and doused me with blue paint. After that, I was made to run the streets of the city, looking for money.” Sounds like he had a very blue day! (Sumitra 05.23.14) 

Feeling down? Feeling blue? Feeling depressed? It is part of the human condition that sometimes occurs. Great servants of God are not immune as we see with Elijah. Elijah had just defeated the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. He had just seen the power of God demonstrated in an awesomely powerful way. Then word comes to him that Jezebel plans to have him killed, and Elijah forgets all about how powerful the Almighty God is, and just wants to lay down and die. Because, the evil queen is after him. How could Elijah believe that any human being could do anything to him with God on his side? Yet, Elijah is having a seriously blue day and just wants to die. 

God sent an angel to minister to Elijah and encourage him. But Elijah is still feeling blue, even after hearing the still, small voice of God speak to him. Elijah says to God that he is the only one left, the single solitary servant of God left in the whole wide world and so there is no reason for him to keep on living. God then makes it clear to Elijah that he is not alone and says to Elijah, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him (1 Kings 19:18).” 

God knew exactly where His servant Elijah was at, and where all of His other servants were. When Hagar fled from Sarai after she was treated severely, God appeared to Hagar (a theophany, an appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ) and she said this in response, “Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me (Genesis 16:13)?’”   

So when you are having a blue day, remember that you serve the Almighty God who sees you, who knows you, who has bought and paid for you with the blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God has not forgotten about you, and He knows and sees exactly what is happening in your life. During these times when you are feeling down and blue, these are the times to draw closer to Him than ever before. You are of great value to Him, pray and seek the comfort of your God.