Lonely – Frightened – Tired
Today’s author is Prince of Peace member Joyce Armstrong
We continue discussing Elijah one more time from1 Kings 19:1-18
How exhausted he must have been: emotionally and spiritually after a battle with prophets of Baal which ended in death of many prophets. The woman, Jezebel, had threatened to kill him. She wasn’t just any woman. She was wife of the King and had everything at her disposal to carry out her threat. Elijah runs away, fearing for his life!
No wonder we find him tired… He comes to a spot in the desert shaded by a broom tree and has to rest. He wishes to die––even if he had just run to save his life.
I wonder if, as he rested, he had memories of his life as a prophet—his lonely life as he worked among his people—many people to help—so little to share with them except the blessing of God. In the middle of his memories, he falls asleep.
God then provides. An angel appears and brings food, a cake of bread cooked over hot coals and some much-needed water. Then Elijah lies down to rest again. His memories probably took over again. He remembers a drought he once predicted. He had warned the King who prepared for the drought and saved many people. God had directed Elijah to a brook and then sent ravens to feed him. When the brook dried up, God sent him to a widow in Zar. The two of them had the experience of God providing: He caused her flower and oil to last until the drought ended. Elijah was there to heal the widow’s son when he became ill! Maybe the memoires of being helpful to people brought some comfort to him. I’m sure his memoires of his job of guiding the Kings didn’t bring much comfort. They were all so evil.
No wonder he finally lay down once more to sleep. The angel, however, is still on call: “Get up—eat—you have a long journey ahead.” God had provided food and rest. Now he leads him to more adventures!
The long journey was not an exaggeration. He walked 40 days and 40 nights to reach Mt. Horeb and find a cave—a safe place to hid and sleep.
This time, God himself, shows up and calls to Elijah, “What are you doing.” Elijah recounts all of his trials. Now God has better things in mind. Elijah will have more joyful experiences ahead. God does not explain them all. That’s somehow the way God works. People don’t know the future. God just says, “Get up” and “Follow me”!
There will still be times in Elijah’s life when God will use him in his service. One exciting time will be when he gets to “call” his successor, Elisha, a man whom Elijah loves and is so excited that Elisha is eager to serve as a prophet.
The climax for Elijah? His beautiful death which isn’t a death at all! God carried him to heaven in a whirlwind witnessed by Elisha and prophets!
Elijah had no idea his life would be used as an example of prayer, as in James 5:17, when James writes about the importance of prayer. Elijah would never predict that he would be with Moses and Jesus at the Transfiguration. Think how many times during his life he was used by God and never realized it.
Remember that the next time you need time “in a cave.” God will call “Get up—there are people out here who need you.” I am 91 years old, and there are times I still want some time in a cave. Believe it or not, God still calls.
One Sunday after Jim had retired and we had joined a church in Detroit Lakes, the pastor had preached a most challenging sermon. I thanked him. But I told him I didn’t want to be challenged. We were retired and I wanted to rest. He looked me in the eye and said, “you can rest in Heaven.”
Dear God, We thank you for the many ways you led, guided and protected the “heroes” in the history of your people We thank you that you are here for us today. Amen.