I Kings 19:3-8
3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life… and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” 8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
No one wants to be the person who ran away. It seems that Elijah felt very discouraged about his behavior. He had just called down fire from heaven and witnessed God’s victory over the false prophets of Baal. Yet, the threats of a wicked queen were just too much for him. Elijah ran away, and found himself in prayer in the middle of nowhere. He confessed his weakness and was so broken that he asked that God would take his life. He couldn’t go any farther.
See the mercy of God for Elijah and God’s understanding of our human condition. True, Elijah had witnessed the power of God. True God would deliver His people from their wicked King and Queen. But, humanly, Elijah was done. He had no strength left physically or spiritually. So, what did God do? God helped Him.
God sent His angel to bring nourishment to the prophets body and soul. He brought both food and God’s Word which communicated God’s love for Elijah and God’s plan for His people. Strengthened by the Lord, Elijah continued to the mountain of God, mount Horeb, where God would instruct His prophet.
The prophets of God all pointed to Jesus who met Satan and all evil, even our sins, on the cross of Calvary. Through faith in Jesus God still shows His mercy and love. He forgives those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. God also overrules the deadly threats of the evil one, be those the threats of individuals or evil governments today. God sustains us with the heavenly food of the Lord’s Supper and His Word in the Holy Bible. On the last day we will be raised to life with Jesus. The love of God in Jesus will last forever.
Let us pray
I thank you Lord for continuing to bear with my weaknesses, especially when I am frightened or anxious about the situation in the world around me. Restrain all evil governments and world leaders. And, bless your church with faithfulness and boldness to proclaim your truth in all nations. In the name of Jesus I pray, AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.