I Kings 19:7,8
‘A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb,a the mountain of God.’
The queen put an assassination order out on Elijah. He’s panicked and exhausted. God gives him a couple days of sleep and feeds him. He then leads him out of the area; a forty day journey. This keeps him safe from those seeking his life.
Some dislike us and seek us harm. It may be an ordinary dislike or it could be something inspired by the evil one. The people of Jesus’ home town sought to kill Jesus. It was at the beginning of His ministry. He read scripture about the messiah and He said that I am He. Here was their response in Luke 4:29,30, “and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and brought Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, so that they could throw Him down from the cliff. But He passed through their midst and went on His way.”
God will protect us, just as He did Jesus and Elijah. I had a boss who disliked me and it felt like he was attempting to punish me somehow. I had a friend who was his boss. She shared that with him that her family and mine were beach camping. He responded oddly and she asked if there was a problem with me and my boss. I told her that it felt like it, but I didn’t know his grievance. He backed off and left me alone after this conversation. I knew that God protected me.
This story brought me much joy. I knew God had His hand on me just as He does for all of us. Those more powerful than me were suddenly powerless. My boss was put on a leash by God. It was awesome. He and I never spoke of it, but I knew. I almost felt like a kid who knows that his parent is a big deal. He walks around with a confident smile.
God knows how to protect His children. We can trust Him. As we read His Word we gain wisdom. We learn to avoid situations and certain people. Beyond that His divine hand with guide us in safe ways.
This doesn’t mean we won’t have lessons to learn. We had a rough tenant years ago. It lasted for four years. I learned not to hastily enter business deals with just anyone. I think it was His will for this business relationship to happen. He also introduced me to a property manager that rescued us from them the last year and a half. When that relationship was terminated I was delivering the tenants mail to the property manager for the tenants to pick up. The lady in the office asked why I did this. “Why not have them pick it up from your house?” I said, “I wanted no interaction with them.” She asked me who they were. When I told her she laughed and nodded in understanding. They had given her grief as well. I was naive about how difficult some could be. Much wisdom was learned from them.
The Lord protected Elijah from the evil queen. He protects us as well. Thank You, Lord for Your guidance and protection.