…”I have had enough, LORD” … 1 Kings 19:4b NIV
Most of us, at one time or another, have felt like Elijah felt when he spoke these words in prayer. God had brought him through so many difficult circumstances and had demonstrated His faithfulness to Elijah so many times, but nonetheless, at this moment in time, he was physically and emotionally exhausted, fear had gripped his heart, he was alone, and he just didn’t have the strength to go on any longer.
This is what I love about the Bible, it is so relevant and so applicable to our lives! Think about it. Elijah prayed it wouldn’t rain for 3 1/2 years, and it didn’t. He prayed again for rain, and it poured. He watched the ravens fly in with food every morning and every evening as he rested in safety by the brook. He saw God provide for the widow as her little jar of flour and small jug of oil never ran dry during the drought. He stood up against the 400 prophets of Baal and saw fire come from heaven to consume the wet sacrifice in answer to his simple prayer. Sometimes I think we get the impression that the heroes of the Bible were “super Christians” who never struggled through the difficult emotions you and I deal with. In our minds, we set them apart, as if they are something we can never become. But that’s just not reality. Their stories were written so you and I could come to understand that God is for us, not against us. He wants you to succeed, and is working in your life just like he was in Elijah’s.
Check out God’s response to Elijah:
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 1 Kings 19:5b-7 NIV
God touched him and encouraged him! He strengthened him for the journey ahead. He was patient, sending the angel a second time. God recognized the journey was too much for him! He understood! I don’t know about you, but that provides so much encouragement for me! If Elijah, this mighty man of God, could reach this level of discouragement, we don’t need to feel guilty when we do the same, nor do we need to feel like God is angry with us for doing so.
So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty 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?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 1 Kings 19:8-10 NIV
Elijah wasn’t actually the only one still serving God, but he certainly felt like he was. Have you ever felt that way? God took the time to listen to Elijah; he allowed him to vent, to express his frustration and his fears. God never minds when we come to him and express our true feelings, in fact, that’s a very important aspect of prayer. If you have any doubt, just look at the psalms. David did that all the time!
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. 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV
Our God is mighty and powerful and strong; sometimes we need to see that! But sometimes, we just need Him to gently whisper, to remind us that he loves us, and values us, and understands our pain. I am so glad that we serve a God who knows exactly what we need all the time. He has all power and all authority, yet is gentle, full of mercy and love! We are truly blessed!