Month: July 2009

At The End Of Endurance

“At The End Of Endurance” by Kirk Hunt

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. (1 Kings 19:5-6 KJV)

1 Kings 19:5-6 KJV

Elijah’s discouragement and grief sapped his strength. Exhausted, the prophet slept hard, worn out from the events of the week. Mere humans have limits. “Yes, you.”

Sleep is sleep, regardless of it’s source. In this moment, for this man, simple rest isn’t enough. God, via an angel, stepped in to make up the difference.

God’s Holy Spirit extends us and empowers us. That doesn’t mean you can, or should, skip the fundamentals of good nutrition and adequate rest. Elijah is an object lesson in the limits of men and women.

The angel fed Elijah then let him sleep. Simple bread and clean drinking water served as the first part of restoring the great prophet. Maybe a decent meal and a good night’s sleep is what you need.

God is our source. We cannot do it on our own. If you find yourself worn out and beat down, maybe it’s time to let God provide you the resources you need to continue.

Think: No matter what is happening, God is my source.

Pray: “Lord, I choose to trust You, even at the end of my endurance.”

Copyright © July 2009, Kirk Hunt

At The End Of A Rope

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“At The End Of A Rope” by Kirk Hunt

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

1 Kings 19:4 KJV

Things can change in 72 hours. Fire fell from heaven in response to Elijah’s prayer. The cult of Baal leadership had been destroyed in single day. Surely, the threat of a single woman, queen or not, couldn’t matter to a prophet like Elijah.

3 days earlier, Elijah had been unstoppable. Now he huddled, pitifully under a nameless tree. It’s as if the triumph at Mt. Carmel had not happened.

To be sure, Jezebel’s threat had credibility. If anyone could arrange Elijah’s assassination, she could. Seemingly alone against a nation, Elijah looked within and found the end of his rope.

You and I know that Elijah should have looked to God. Looking up, the prophet would have seen a legion of angels, each with an endless coil of rope. Elijah could have met Jezebel’s threat with confidence and security.

It’s easy to point out Elijah’s error. How about you? Have you ever panicked instead of trusting God? “Yeah. Me too.”

At the end of your rope is when you reach for God’s lifeline. He, alone, has all of the solutions. God alone is without limit and without failure.

Think: No matter what happens, God is, and will be, there for me..

Pray: “Lord, I choose to trust You, even at the end of my rope.”

Copyright © July 2009, Kirk Hunt

Paul’s Scars

“Paul’s Scars” by Kirk Hunt

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

2 Corinthians 11:24-25 KJV

Jagged marks from a stoning. A latticework of lines from various whippings. The Apostle Paul must have had a large set of ugly scars.

Still, Paul’s scars served a valuable purpose. Handcuffed to soldiers of the Praetorian Guard, the roughest and toughest of Roman soldiers, Paul had instant credibility. Writing and speaking to persecuted Christians, Paul’s scars gave his message undeniable authority and inescapable comfort.

Paul’s Scars represent the good that comes from a Christian’s bad experiences. Only God would choose to turn the ugly marks of our trials into the beautiful trophies of our victories. Or should I say, God’s victories?

Look at the lines and marks of your journey. The common wisdom calls them ugly reminders. In the light of God’s purpose they are beautiful trophies. God has a purpose and plan for your scars, and you.

You may not understand why you had to go through. Just remember that God loves you. He has a plan for those using your scars as trophies.

Think:     In God’s hands and purpose, my trials become triumphs.

Pray:        “Lord, I don’t always understand, but I choose to trust You.”

Copyright © July 2009, Kirk Hunt

Shake It Off

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“Shake It Off” by Kirk Hunt

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Acts 28:5-6 KJV

“Shake it off.” The viper, unseen in the brush, bit Paul and injected its poison. Even in the continuing storm, the local residents of the island recognized the seriousness of the snake and its bite. They assumed Paul’s death would be momentary.

Any viper bite is a serious matter. In modern medicine, such a bite may require an amputation. The certainty of the ancient locals comes as no surprise .

“Shake it off.” Scripture doesn’t even record a prayer or comment by Paul at that moment. A few flicks of the wrist or elbow and the snake went in the fire.

Did it hurt? Probably. Should Paul have suffered sever harm from the bite? Definitely.

“Shake it off.” Scripture doesn’t hide or sugar-coat the truth. Even the best Christians suffer in this life. Don’t let your trials and tribulations get the better of you.

Let God’s power and Holy Spirit carry you through. It might hurt, but God will keep you from harm. Practice your prayers and shaking motions now.

Think: God has given me the grace and power to shake it off.

Pray: “Lord, in the Name of Jesus, help me to shake it off.”

Copyright © July 2009, Kirk Hunt