Psalms 78 - The lord is always fighting on behalf of his proof on behalf of me in the background. He’s clearing paths, he’s establishing relationships, he’s planting seeds, he’s tripping up my enemy. thank you Lord for paving the way each day and for your caring and generosity.
Acts 20 - paul used words of encouragement to the apostles and people he met along the way to Macedonia.
Paul never Traveled alone. He always had other disciples with him, some were his disciples he was mentoring, some were his equals and in roles of encouragement, we need to surround ourselves with others who challenge us, and those we can also speak life into.
The Holy Spirit instructs Paul, and tells him he faces hardship and imprisonment at every destination, yet he doesn’t slow down. His mentality is to finish the race and complete the task the lord has given him. I will avoid conversations with people when I am not feeling full of energy, yet paul will go to the most hostile of territory and speak something that nobody wants to hear despite the physical harm and ridicule that awaits him.
2 Kings 1 - the king of Israel was far from the Lord and had felt the lords wrath with fire falling from the sky onto his captains and men at the word of Elijah. The king tried using his earthly authority to intimidate Elijah but the lord was with him, he knows what true authority is, he stands up in situations with confidence and poise because he knows WHO he belongs to and WHO HE is.. he is firm in his identity and purpose.
Elijah is taken up to heaven, no death. He ascends up into the sky.