Good morning!
Text: 1 Kings 16-19; Psalm 82
The story of Elijah’s showdown on Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal and Asherah (1 Kings 18) is spectacular. Not only are the idolatrous priests destroyed, but the Lord ends the terrible drought. There is great victory, and the Lord’s power and glory are on display. Immediately following, Elijah’s life is threatened by the wicked queen Jezebel, and he falls into a funk:
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.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. (1 Kings 19:4-8)
It is curious how, after the great spiritual victory, Elijah is not jubilant, but downcast and exhausted. I can tell you that this is not uncommon for people who serve the Lord wholeheartedly. But, the Lord is so good. When we find ourselves spent, done, ready to quit, the Lord provides the rest and replenishment we need. Feeling wiped out? Pray. Sleep. Eat. Repeat. And trust in the Lord.
in Him, Mike