If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? Before you start dreaming of a beach vacation, let’s narrow this down to life purpose. What were you created for? What did God have in mind when he formed you in the womb?

He held the coats and watched as the angry priests stoned and killed Stephen. (Acts 8:1) He persecuted the early church with a vengeance, attacking and imprisoning the followers of Christ. This is Saul (later called Paul in the Bible)—the writer of almost half the New Testament.

Haman’s wicked plan had worked. The king of Persia had signed off and the decree went throughout the land. Every Jew—young and old, men, women, and children—was to be annihilated and their possessions seized on the 13th day of the month of Adar.

Has God called you to great things? Is there a dream in your heart that is bigger than you? Maybe it seems unattainable and so you’ve settled for the mundane or ordinary while whispers of a grand adventure swirl around you.

The prophet Elijah had just won a great victory on Mt. Carmel over the 450 prophets of Baal. God’s fire fell from heaven and consumed Elijah’s sacrifice, proving to all the people and the false prophets that the Lord is God.

It was a time of severe famine. God had whispered a word to a widow in Zarephath that seemed absurd when she and her son were starving to death.

David was on the run. It was clear that King Saul was determined to kill him, and so he ran for his life. But David went from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.