Just when things were going so well. and boom everything changes. The proverbial rug had been pulled out from under me. This past Sunday we had such and incredible day of worship study, lunch, fellowship, singing with a house full of friends, family and loved ones. We literally were still in the afterglow of a spectacular day, and all of the sudden my husband was sick and in the ER at the heart hospital. We thought he was having a heart attack again. but low and behold it was Covid...AGAIN.
In one of my favorite stories in the Bible, Elijah had just one of those spectacular days and then all of the sudden the rug was pulled out from under him. This prophet of God calls down fire from heaven to defeat the prophets of Baal in a literal miraculous outpouring of God's power. In this showdown the false prophets of Baal were killed and God showed up big time. Immediately queen Jezebel heard how her prophets were killed. and she put a hit out on Elijah's life.
Scripture tells us that Elijah's humanity kicks into high gear, everything changed and he becomes VERY afraid. How could this man of God be afraid? Hadn’t he just performed great miracles for Yahweh and called fire down from heaven in a spectacular way. Had he already forgotten what God had just done? Didn't he think that God would protect him?
As Elijah faced yet another crisis, I'm sure he found himself used up, poured out, and spent after the showdown on Mt Carmel. To top it off now he was now a wanted man. Elijah then does what any of us would do, he RUNS! His self preservation kicks in.
"But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
I can just imagine him lying alone under that tree in what we would call the fetal position- literally and figuratively speaking. I personally have never had to run for my life, but you have to really empathize with this guy. This man was physically, emotionally, and spiritually wiped out. Have you been there? Given all there is to give? Hit the wall, and you don’t know if you can carry on.? Been there, done that?
Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God"
Just when He hits rock bottom and has no strength of his own the Lord Jesus shows up. Christ personally ministers to Elijah. The "angel of the Lord" is a reference to Jesus himself in scripture. Not only does Jesus see his need spiritually and emotionally, but He physically cares for him too. He prepares and provides him warm cakes and water and implores him to rest. Wakes him, feeds him and implores him to rest some more.
I regularly need to be reminded that when I’m exhausted, sick, or burned out, the Lord Jesus is right next to me. My Savior seeks me out, strengthens me, protects me, and implores me to rest physically and emotionally in Him. That He is not done with me yet and there is more for me to do for Him. Even when I didn't see it coming. What a message for US!
How humbling that Jesus would minister to us personally. That nothing surprises him and everything passes through his hands that involves us. How could the God of all creation love me and would care for me so beautifully and faithfully. How humbling that he would use us for His glory now and in the days to come. May our lives be poured out as an extravagant offering unto Him.
Alleluia!
Tina
Christ Culture Community Church is a group of believers in Farmersville/Princeton, TX dedicated to making Jesus known; they are located at 12 Stories Coffee Shop in Downtown Farmersville.
