THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 24TH FEBRUARY 2025, MONDAY MESSAGE
Read The Upper Room Devotional 24th February 2025 written by Megan L. Anderson (Indiana, USA)
TOPIC: Why Are You Here?
Today’s Reading
1 Kings 19:1-9
[Elijah] came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. – 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV)
Today’s Message
Elijah had humiliated King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Terrified for his life because of Jezebel’s vow to exact revenge, Elijah fled. In his exhaustion, he uttered a phrase my heart has felt many times: “I have had enough, Lord!” I can imagine the relief welling up in the prophet’s heart as he entered into the safety of God’s mountain after his long, arduous journey.
But before Elijah could catch his breath or gather his thoughts, God asked, “Why are you here?” On one level the question implied that Elijah should be elsewhere, completing the work the Lord had given him to do. On another level, it prompted him to consider his heart’s motivation.
Like Elijah, I sometimes find myself crying out, “I’ve had enough!” while facing resistance in ministry. Unconstructive criticism on how I teach Sunday school or lead music wears me down. Parents disrupting the teen ministry frustrates me. Volunteers failing to follow through is discouraging. In these moments I, too, have to answer God’s question, Why are you here? I ask myself, Why am I really doing what I’m doing?
Reminded of God’s holiness, Elijah was refreshed and went on to fulfill an extraordinary destiny. When we pause to evaluate our motivations and realign them with God’s will, we can find renewed zeal in our service to God and others.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, help us align our motivations with yours so that we can be refreshed and strengthened as we work with you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
What is my motivation for serving God?
Prayer Focus
Ministers facing burnout
Read More
More from Megan L. Anderson
The Upper Room Devotional 24th February 2025, is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More