A Reading Plan for Courage

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. I Kings 19:11-13 ESV

God is found in the lowest of valleys and the highest of mountains. The deepest hurts and the thrill of joy are both places we tend to find God. But what about the days in-between?

He is in the blue sky with white clouds and a green tree outside my window; the yellow leaves of the fall and the wispy rain of spring. God is found in orchids on my window’s ledge above the sink, comfy socks I put on when I’m home for the day, and the smell of coffee in the morning. God is in these glorious ordinary moments too.

When Elijah saw God, he was at his lowest of lows. God had led Elijah forty days into the wilderness. It was where God met him. In this place of complete isolation, God showed Elijah two things:

1. God was in the smallest of details. God was in the whisper, not the thunder.

2. Elijah was not alone. Others hadn’t bowed to the idol Baal.

The next thing Elijah did was to get up and face the trouble. With courage. Do you lack courage today?

We have a God who will meet us, whether we are at our highest of highs, lowest of lows, or the days in between. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 ESV. God is our present help. And He gives us the courage we need for today. Amen.

Pray this prayer:

Dear Lord, I pray you will meet me here in my ordinary day. As I mother, worship, and do the tasks you have laid before me, help me to see You in even the smallest of details. Give me the courage for today! Amen.

How is God working in your life right now, maybe in unseen ways?

Who can you reach out to today to help you not feel alone?

How can I get courage today?