1 Kings 19:13 …Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Let’s recap 1 Kings 19 thus far: Elijah is exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed. To address the exhaustion, the LORD sends nourishment and rest. To address the frustration and overwhelm, the LORD asks “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9), listens to his reply (which is rooted in his frustration), and then shows up, personally, in the form of a gentle whisper to help Elijah’s refocus and realize that he is not alone. Part of the refocusing is the reminder of work yet to do, part is the reminder of the others working towards the same goal. God is so very good.
1 Kings 19:15 Then the LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there….”
Heb 4:12 reminds us that “the word of God is alive and active,” which is exactly why I can spend four days wading through Elijah’s exhaustion, frustration, and overwhelm and see the parallels so closely mirroring my own story. This life can be so hard. And when we feel like we are isolated, the desire to curl up and give up is so strong. But just as Elijah wasn’t alone, we aren’t alone. Just as Elijah needed rest, release, refocusing, sometimes we do, too. And our gracious Father always provides.
1 Kings 19:18 “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the ability to see myself in Elijah’s struggles, for the ability to be strengthened by his story. Thank You for being a loving, active presence in our lives, for seeing where we are and knowing what we need. Thank You for rest, renewal, and strength, for refocusing us on You, Your purpose, Your people. Draw us closer. Amen.
1 Kings 19:21 So Elisha…set out to follow Elijah and become his servant.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.