Xanthe Hancox

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.  1 Kings 19:3-5

If you recall Friday’s passage from 1 Kings 18, you’ll remember that Elijah has just been an integral part of a spectacular victory. As a result, the prophets of the false god Baal were killed, and now we learn that Jezebel wants Elijah dead (verse 2).

Elijah is afraid and runs for his life. And more than just feeling afraid and exhausted, Elijah feels that everything that he’s done has been for nothing, and that he may as well just give up. He explained to God how hard the fight had been and how little progress he felt had been made. He felt isolated, like the only one left who was fighting the good fight.

This is not uncommon in the Christian life. After an amazing spiritual victory or intense time of activity, we can find ourselves worn out. And subsequently, we can find ourselves feeling as Elijah did: gloomy, depressed and worn out.

But God cares for Elijah in this state.  He needed some very basic things, to rest and eat, and the angel of the Lord provided him with food and water (verses 5-8a). More importantly, he also needed time with God (verse 8b). After he’d regained his physical strength, he journeyed to Horeb where God spoke to him and reminded him that he was not alone.

Elijah might have thought he was the only one left alive who obeyed God, but the Lord told him that there were 7 000 people in Israel ‘all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him’. (verse 18)

You might feel this morning that you’re the only Christian in your office, your school or perhaps even your family. Maybe you feel that the work you do for God is in vain, but remember, you are not alone! Take time to look after yourself. Spend time with God in his Word.

Prayer: Lord, we are truly frail beings. It takes so little to overwhelm us! Thank you for the example of Elijah. May I not work myself up even tighter with worry and activity in stressful times, but put those things aside and rest in your presence.  Amen