You are not alone

Have you ever been so tired that you just wanted to die? Recently I've had a number of days when exhaustion has taken its toll on me. On Aug. 19 I was experiencing extreme exhaustion and opened my Bible to find out what God's word says about being weary.

In reading 1 Kings 19:1-19 I found out that Elijah the prophet experienced exhaustion. He had just slain hundreds of prophets of Baal and proven the power and might of God to the people of Israel. When Jezebel heard what he had done, she vowed to kill him.

Here was a man of God, whose faith was unwavering in the face of danger - yet he began running for his life at her threat. Why? He was exhausted from his ministry. 

After going a day's journey into the desert alone he sat down under a broom tree 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 tree and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." He looked around and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. 1 Kings 19:4-6

How often do we feel like Elijah? As Christians, it gets tiresome battling the demons of this world day after day. Some days we fight until we have no strength left. Maybe we're not physically killing the prophets of Baal, but there are forces of evil all around us that we have to contend with on a daily basis. 

Notice how Elijah spoke with the Lord. He was honest with Him and confessed his hopelessness in the situation. I guess to him it felt like all his hard work had been for nothing. 

I've felt that way at times. There have been many days when I tried my very best to be a reflection of Christ but it seemed as though I failed miserably. 

What did God do for Elijah when he cried out in frustration? He sent an angel to strengthen his physical body with food, but that wasn't all the Lord did for his servant Elijah.

The angel came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:10

When we're tired and ready to throw in the towel, we can look at Elijah as our mentor. Just eating the food offered to him gave him the strength to travel for 40 days and 40 nights. His journey wasn't over once he was strengthened, it was only beginning. As we read the word of God and continue on our journey with God we may find ourselves in a place near to the heart of God, but we may not get to rest until we arrive there. 

Elijah told the Lord that he had been zealous for God. He lamented that the Israelites had rejected God's covenant, broken down God's altars and put God's prophets to death.

"I'm the only one left and now they are trying to kill me, too," said Elijah.

Do you ever feel like you're the only one being obedient to God? Does it ever seem to you that you're facing life's problems alone? Take heart ...God hears your cries for help, He knows what you need to regain your strength and if He has to, He'll send an angel to minister to your needs.

This next passage is one of my favorites, I hope you'll hear the voice of God like Elijah did as you read this.

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 19:11-13

Elijah repeated his lament from earlier and was reminded by God that there were 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed down to Baal. He was not alone. Not only was he not alone, but God was sending him to meet Elisha, who had been chosen by God to become his right-hand man. 

God knew that Elijah was disheartened, He knew that Elijah's faith was strong, but He also knew that Elijah was human and needed encouragement and someone to come along side him as a friend. God was not through with Elijah, even though Elijah thought he'd done all he could. 

As long as we are on this earth, there is work we can do for the Lord. When we feel exhausted, we can ask for His help. Just as God helped Elijah prepare for future ministry, He'll help us with our ministries. 

Listen for the gentle whisper and go forward in God's care and His grace.