Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

Read

1 Kings 19:1-15 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 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 like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”

He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.” Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus

Reflect

I have always been fascinated with this story of Elijah. In our scripture reading today we pick up his story after he slew 450 prophets and priests of Baal. And yet, when Jezebel came up against him, he was afraid and ran away. He asked God to take away his life. When Elijah had laid down to rest from his running, an angel came and sustained him with food and water. Strengthening him for the journey he was about to take. Continuing to Horeb, Elijah meets God who gives him a new commission.

I always thought what in the world was wrong with Elijah. Here he had killed 450 men and he was afraid of one woman!

I see my own life reflected in this story. God has performed many miracles in my life. Pulling me out of a life of sin and misery. Protecting my family when we didn’t have enough to put food on the table. Sending people to us with groceries, gas money, rent money etc. Providing for us in unimaginable ways. And yet, when one little blip in my radar comes up, I start to panic. I get scared and want to run away.

This story reminds me that sometimes, I just need to rest for a moment. Strengthen and refresh myself on God’s Word. To know that He is always with me. God is always making a way. God is always strengthening us and providing a way for us. We only need to trust Him.
Blessings on your journey!

Pray

Precious God, what would I do without you? I would be terrified, always running for my life and never receiving the rest and strength I need to continue on my journey. Lord, when I lose my way, help me rest in You. Help me remember that you provide for me in unexplainable and unimaginable ways. I thank you for all that You do, in Jesus name. Amen.

Go with God!