“I long for the cold embrace of death,” tweeted my friend’s teenage son—feigning mock despair. Apparently his second-hour high school orchestra class was dragging on too long. So he put into practice what he had learned in his first-hour class: creative writing.
Elijah could have tweeted out a similar message—except he would have been deadly serious.
A gutsy prophet to Israel during the reign of the evil king Ahab, Elijah’s job description included confronting the chronic problem of Baal worship. This made him a wanted man.
One time, on top of Mount Carmel, Elijah (assured of God’s presence in his life: 1 Kings 18:15) confronted, defeated, and executed 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-40). Shortly after this dramatic showdown, however, things began to unravel for the prophet. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, wanted Elijah dead. The news of the queen’s threat sent him running for his life out into the wilderness. Scared, alone, and utterly discouraged, he eventually collapsed under a tree and prayed for death to take him (1 Kings 19:1-4).
After an angel ministered to him, Elijah journeyed to Mount Sinai—the place where his forefather Moses first met God. There, the disheartened prophet met Him too and was lifted up by His presence, not in the dramatic fashion he had witnessed on Mount Carmel but by a “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:5-13).
Has life left you feeling all alone and discouraged? Don’t give up! Cry out to heaven. The same God who met Elijah and encouraged him with His presence will meet you too—perhaps in ways you would least expect. God renewed Elijah’s spirit and allowed him to see his difficult circumstances from His perspective. He can do the same for you!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 5:1-16
More:
Read Jeremiah 29:13 and consider what it means to seek God and His presence.
Next:
How has God revealed His loving heart to you in the past? What can you do to experience God’s renewing presence today?
Gary Shultz on October 13, 2016 at 5:31 am
Jeff, that’s a great recap of a snap shot of life’s down turns even for the acclaimed prophet Elijah. I guess that show us even the best of us can get discouraged and down at times. What I do like that you mentioned is the leading Elijah back, back to the mountain where God’s law came from, a ground zero of sorts. We need to go to a place that has reassurance written all over it. We need to find solid rock. As he gained knowledge from God and regained a sense of spiritual strength, as well as some physical strength, he moved to do some high level action. The side bar to this is we can’t ignore we are human and we need to sometimes repair the physical, not in disregard of the spiritual, but that both are at a place where God begins to add insight and direction. Thanks Jeff, if you get a chance, come out and talk with us.
gagirllive on October 13, 2016 at 7:47 am
This is one of my favorite accounts in scripture, Jeff. How gracious God was to care so personally for His servant, Elijah. More than once He fed Him miraculously and lifted up his withering spirit. He certainly does the same for us today. Discouragement is one of the deadly D’s of the enemy. If left unchecked, we can quickly spiral down into despair and have our entire being off kilter. As Gary so wisely stated, we see the necessity of returning to the place of assurance—God’s presence—where our confidence in God and our spiritual vitality can be restored. Also, as Gary mentioned, we can’t ignore what the body needs. Because we are triune beings, our body, soul, and spirit all work in tandem. Long periods of discouragement and depression can certainly wear us down spiritually, but physically also. Practically speaking, on days when I’m battling discouragement, oftentimes I find that what I need is a healthy meal and a good night’s rest. Morning dawns and I find myself strengthened and refreshed—ready to begin with God again. Someone wisely said that we are most vulnerable to the enemy and should tread carefully when we are hungry, angry (or depressed, which is anger turned inward), lonely, or tired (HALT). I can see that in Elijah’s story and even in the Lord’s temptation in the wilderness. In both cases, God sent His ministering angels to bring provision and strengthen them. Praise God for meeting our needs on every level! He longs for us to come to Him for emotional healing, physical strength, and spiritual renewal. I am reminded of Isaiah 30: 15 which says, “For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning to Me and resting in Me you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’ But you would not.” We all need a little R&R—Return and Rest. But may the last 4 words in that verse never be said of us. 🙂 Thanks for this today, Jeff. Grace and peace to all. ♡
sim jing ying on October 13, 2016 at 9:36 am
God has revealed His loving heart by instilling His love in me through His Holy Spirit. I will do daily devotion to Him to have God’s renewed presence everyday.
daughterdeb on October 13, 2016 at 11:59 am
How has God revealed His loving heart to you in the past? Can I just quote David (Psalm 40:5)? “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” What can you do to experience God’s renewing presence today? Truly *be aware* of His presence, pray without ceasing and have a heart of gratitude. Praise You and thank You my beloved Savior! BTW, song that just came on my MP3 player? “Overcame” by Jeremy Camp. Huge smile on my face and off to trim my tree. Gotta love God’s timing.
hsnpoor on October 13, 2016 at 7:05 pm
And his humor and loving kindness. Love that scripture Deb!