3 Sep
Here Again?
I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life. 1 Kings 19:10
Elijah had been to the mountain top. He had taken on the 450 prophets of Baal in a sacrificial duel and slaughtered them—literally! God had shown His power in a mighty way, and Elijah had been smack dab in the middle of it. He had to have been on the greatest adrenaline rush of his life. Yet, no sooner did he reach this mountain peak than he began to plummet down the other side into the valley. Ahab told Jezebel what had happened to her priests, and she was breathing fire. “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!” (1 Kings 19:2). Elijah hit the road running and didn’t look back. Lonely and afraid, he forgot all about his recent victory and laid down in defeat. He prayed, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life” (1 Kings 19:4). But God wasn’t finished with him yet. Twice He sent an angel to Elijah and got him back on his feet, and Elijah traveled on those weary feet for 40 days until he reached “Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8). There “the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9).
What a good question! Elijah had just witnessed a miraculous display of God’s power, and yet he was ready to throw in the towel. God had every right to be more than a little upset with him. Yet, in His grace, He gave Elijah what he needed to keep going. He told Elijah that he wasn’t alone, and He reminded him that he still had important work to do.
How many times has this happened to you? Things seem to be going great when suddenly you find yourself plunging down the roller coaster of your own emotions. For little or no reason, you are face to face with fear, loneliness, insecurity, or depression, and you don’t see how you will ever get yourself going again. Why not start by asking yourself why you are in this spot? Then follow the steps that Elijah took. He felt all of these emotions and was ready to quit, but he took his situation to God in prayer. And what a prayer it was! Honest. Real. A prayer that recognized God’s power and didn’t try to sugar coat the truth. Elijah felt like dying, and he said so. But God didn’t mince His words either. His question implies that Elijah didn’t need to waste his time in the pits when there was work to be done. God picked him up, showed him the truth of his situation, and gave him his next assignment—which would take care of those Baal worshipers once and for all. Inspired, Elijah headed back to work!
Next time you find yourself in the valley, ask what you’re doing there again. Is it just an easy place to land? Do you find some kind of comfort in complaining? Is pit-dwelling something you’ve simply grown accustomed to? Take your situation to God and let Him show you the Truth. Chances are good that He has work for you do, and it won’t be done until you get up!
Father God, You have the power to do all things. You can even take a frightened and insecure person like Elijah (or me) and use him as an instrument for Your glory. Thank You for opening my eyes to the Truth. And thank you for never giving up on Your children—even when we feel like giving up on ourselves. For Your glory and in Your service, I pray. Amen.
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