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Elijah

Elijah from the Old Testament was considered the prophet of the prophets. And yet during his ministry an event occurred from which I draw great strength in tough times.

Elijah labored with his whole soul to bring the nation of Israel unto Jehovah, even calling down incredible displays of divine power to persuade the people. But still he was rejected and hated by the very people he came to save.

Running for his life, Elijah fled into the wilderness where he made this most interesting request of the Lord.

He said, “… It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:4)

Now, I don’t mean to make light of it, but that sounds like a very burdened and discouraged prophet.

Now, if someone as great as that can be overwhelmed and want to give up, what about you and me?

Now the story doesn’t end there though. In the spirit of fasting and prayer, Elijah went deeper into the wilderness, all the way to Sinai, where the word of the Lord came to him and asked, “[Elijah,] What doest thou here…?” (1 Kings 19:9)

And in response, Elijah poured out his soul to God.

Notably, when He finished, God did not pity him or commiserate. What good would it do? Instead He brought Elijah out upon the mount, and there began an awesome display of the powers of nature – wind and earthquake, and fire. But the record says God was not in them, meaning – I take it – after it was over, Elijah was impressed but still discouraged. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Then there came a ‘still small voice’ from God, the voice of His spirit, and Elijah was healed. It spoke peace to his wounded burdened heart. And the result: Elijah got up and went back to work with renewed zeal. (1 Kings 19:12-14)

Is it hard sometimes to swim in the deep waters of mortality? Is there a tendency at times to want to give up? And I ask – is the Lord angry with us on those days when we just can’t go on? – we just can’t do it anymore? No! – not the Lord I know, not when we’re trying to be good. And the still small voice that spoke peace to Elijah is as much ours to claim, as it was his – if in our prayers we reach deeper than the trite phrases and get to where the heart really is.