Elijah collapses under a broom tree and says, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life.”
Remember, this is the same man who called down fire in the previous chapter. Let that sit for a moment, and realize that having faith in God does not make you immune to life's despair. Even those who have seen God move in powerful ways can find themselves praying from a place of exhaustion.
When it happened to Elijah, notice what God does.
He does not scold Elijah or question his calling. He does not say, “After all I’ve done for you…” Instead, God provides. An angel touches him. There's bread, water, and sleep. Then there's even encouragement: "Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.”
Elijah is not rejected in his weakness. God sustains him through it. I wonder if some of us are under a broom tree right now, so to speak. We're not rebelling or being unfaithful. We're just worn thin. The strain and disappointment accumulate, and it gets to be too much to bear.
As a side note, taking a cue from the prophet, when we are at our lowest, we need to be careful with the decisions we make.
But also notice that when Elijah says, “It is enough,” God says, “Get up and eat.” So, what feels like the end may only be exhaustion speaking. If you are depleted, don't think that means you are not faithful. If you are weary, don't assume God's done with you.
God knows our weariness and ministers to it. Elijah’s story didn't end under the broom tree, and yours won't end there either.
Rest. Receive. Get up and eat when the Lord says so.
The journey may be too great for you, but it is not too great for God.
Stay blessed...john |
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