Worthy Brief - 6/30/2025

[WorthyNewsBot]

Friend, meet God under the broom tree!

1 Kings 19:1-5 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers." 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat."

After one of the greatest spiritual victories in all of Scripture--calling down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel and turning the hearts of Israel back to God--Elijah finds himself blindsided by fear.

Jezebel's threat, a single message promising his death within twenty-four hours, sends him running for his life. The same man who boldly faced hundreds of false prophets now flees into the wilderness, collapsing under a broom tree, physically exhausted and emotionally shattered.

In that lonely place, Elijah utters one of the most raw and human prayers recorded in Scripture: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life." How does a prophet fall so far, so fast? Because even the strongest among us are not immune to burnout, to despair, or the crushing weight of unmet expectations. Elijah had hoped that revival would take root, that Jezebel's reign of terror would come to an end. But evil still held the throne, and Elijah felt utterly alone. His cry wasn't rebellion--it was fatigue, disappointment, and the pain of believing he had failed.

We've all had broom tree moments--times when we've poured ourselves out in obedience, only to be met with resistance or silence. We've felt the sting of rejection, the fear that nothing we've done has mattered, and the quiet whisper of defeat. And yet, the beauty of Elijah's story is not only in his honesty but in God's response. The Lord doesn't scold Elijah for running. He doesn't reject his weakness. Instead, He sends an angel with food, gives him rest, and later speaks in a gentle whisper--not a rebuke, but a reassurance.

Friend, God's heart toward the weary is full of compassion. He knows the limits of our humanity and meets us right in the middle of our brokenness. If you find yourself under your own broom tree today--overwhelmed, tired, or afraid--know this: God sees you. He's not finished with you. The wilderness is not your final destination. It's often the place where God begins to write the next chapter of your story, with fresh strength and renewed purpose. Let Him meet you there.

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna and Obadiah
(George, Baht Rivka & Obi - Baltimore, Maryland | Elianna - Married living in Missouri)

Editor's Note: We are calling all FEARLESS, DEVOTED men and women of God to come pray, worship, and SERVE in the Land while also enjoying a life-changing experiential tour! We are leading an incredible 10-day, 10-night journey from October 19–30. As always, we’re keeping the group to just one bus to ensure a more personal and intimate experience — so space is limited! Read More...

Editor's Note: Feel free to share any of our content from Worthy, including Devotions, News articles, and more, on your social platforms. You have full permission to copy and repost anything we produce.

Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. Be sure to check it out!

Around the World
U.S. Expends 20% of Global THAAD Stockpile in Defense of Israel During 12-Day War with Iran
In a high-cost display of strategic commitment, the United States deployed an estimated 15 to 20 percent of its global Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile inventory during a 12-day war between Israel and Iran earlier this month. The operation, aimed at intercepting waves of Iranian ballistic and hypersonic missiles, reportedly cost the U.S. military between $810 million and $1.2 billion in interceptor missiles alone.
Rwanda and DRC Sign U.S.-Brokered Peace Deal as Trump Hails Breakthrough, Critics Voice Caution
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a landmark U.S.-brokered peace agreement on Friday in Washington, aiming to halt years of deadly conflict in eastern Congo and unlock billions in Western investment in the region's prized minerals.
Trump Declares Victory Over Iran, Warns of More Strikes if Nuclear Program Rebuilds
President Donald Trump has declared a sweeping U.S. victory in the war against Iran, calling the joint American-Israeli strike campaign a "total obliteration" of Tehran's nuclear program and vowing to strike again if the Islamic Republic attempts to rebuild.
Russia Ready For Peace Talks With Ukraine As Battles Rage
As battles raged, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Russia is still willing to hold a new round of peace talks with Ukraine, which Moscow invaded nearly 3.5 years ago.
Hungary’s Orbán Defends Banning Pride Ahead Of March
Tensions were rising Friday as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned there would be “legal consequences" for organizing or attending a Budapest Pride march in violation of a police ban on the event planned for this weekend.
U.S., China Reach New Trade Understanding Amid Renewed Negotiations and Economic Shifts
The United States and China have reached an additional agreement aimed at implementing the Geneva framework as part of ongoing trade negotiations, a White House official confirmed to The Epoch Times on Wednesday.
Kenya’s Christian President Pressured To Resign As Dozen Die In Clashes (Worthy News In-Depth)
Kenya's self-declared Christian president faces pressure to resign after nationwide anti-government protests allegedly killed as many as 16 people.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Eliminates Senior Hamas Founder Linked to October 7 Massacre
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Saturday that it had killed Hakham Muhammad Issa Al-Issa, a founding member of Hamas and one of the chief architects behind the October 7, 2023, massacre, in a targeted airstrike in Gaza City.
Netanyahu, Trump Discuss Grand Middle East Realignment as Ceasefire, Hostage Deal, and Expanded Abraham Accords Take Shape
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel now stands at a "historic crossroad" for a dramatic expansion of peace accords with Arab nations, following a reported agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump on a vision to end the war in Gaza and usher in a new era of regional normalization.

Inside the United States
US Top Court Ends Nationwide Orders Halting Trump Policies
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has welcomed the nation’s Supreme Court ruling that lower courts can no longer issue nationwide orders stopping his administration from enforcing a policy.
Supreme Court Upholds Texas Age-Verification Law for Porn Sites in Major Win for Parental Rights and Child Protection
In a landmark 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Texas law that requires pornographic websites to verify users' ages through government-issued identification--delivering a decisive victory to parents and child advocates concerned about minors' exposure to explicit content online.
Supreme Court Backs Parents’ Right to Opt Out of LGBTQ Story Time in Major Religious Liberty Ruling
In a landmark 6-3 ruling Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, affirming their right to opt their pre-K and elementary-aged children out of LGBTQ-inclusive story time and classroom instruction that conflicts with their religious beliefs.
Supreme Court Delivers Major Win to Trump, Limits Nationwide Injunctions Blocking Immigration Policies
xIn a landmark 6-3 decision Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to the use of sweeping "universal injunctions" that have repeatedly stalled President Donald Trump's second-term agenda, ruling that such orders likely exceed the authority granted to federal courts by Congress. The ruling grants the Trump administration a partial victory, allowing it to move forward with implementing a controversial immigration policy aimed at redefining birthright citizenship.

Christian News
Pakistan Court Acquits Christian Man After 23 Years on Death Row
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has acquitted Anwar Kenneth, a mentally challenged Christian man who spent 23 years behind bars on death row for “blasphemy” against Islam, Christians confirmed Friday.
Christian Camp Wins Religious Exemption in Colorado Gender Identity Dispute
A Christian summer camp nestled in the Rocky Mountains will continue to operate in accordance with its religious convictions after reaching an agreement with Colorado officials over the state's anti-discrimination rules.

View the full article