Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you. 1 Kings 19 : 3
Good morning, friends.
Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them (the prophets of Baal whom Elijah has slaughtered).” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.
These are the things we need to know from this passage.
One: Jezebel was Ahab’s wife. Ahab informed everything that happened at Mount Carmel. She was a Baal worshiper. When she heard that all the prophets of Baal were killed, she got angry on Elijah. She threatened him. This is what exactly happening in many families today. Husband telling something unwanted to his wife and wife giving away wrong suggestions lead to a greater disaster. Think twice before you act actually.
Two: Elijah was afraid of a woman. He who didn’t fear anyone including the king was now afraid of a lady, who sent a messenger with her threatening words. He ran for his life. God wanted to protect him and that’s why He allowed him to run away. God’ll never let others touch you, my friend. You’re the apple of His eyes. If someone harms you, don’t be afraid and run somewhere. God is waiting to protect you from his/her hands.
Three: Elijah prayed that the Lord should take his life. The great man of prayer, who stopped the rain, who caused the rain and who brought fire to accept his offerings at Mount Carmel, etc,… now prayed a wrong prayer. The one, who got answers to each and every prayer, didn’t receive the positive answer to this prayer. Instead it was a negative answer. The Lord didn’t take his life as he prayed. That is because; He altogether had a different plan for Elijah. Elijah was one of the few men who were taken up as such. When God is having a different purpose for you, sometimes He may not answer your prayer shortly. He’ll reveal the greater plans He has for you and will encourage you saying, “My child, get up, still there is more. Please don’t give up. I have the best plans in store for you.” Sometimes a ‘No’ would be much better than a ‘yes’.
Do you agree with me here? I experienced it many times in my life. When I asked for cheaper things, God didn’t grant me them, while I hanged on to them. Instead He just removed those cheap desires from my heart, not only the branch, but along with the deep roots. He’ll do the same for you too. I remember writing this in my email before. Even though the parents wish to give whatever the child asks when they carry him to the shopping complex, they will never buy a knife or a pistol for him. Because they know that one day or the other, it would definitely harm and destroy their loving son. The same applies to our God. If you don’t get the answers to some of your prayers, it may not be the best and good thing for you. Or it may not be the right time for you to have it. Anyways, rejoice in Him. We can be sure of one thing. God is in control. He has the best in store for us.
Four: Elijah got strengthened by the food that God provided. When you face troubles everywhere, remember it should be God to guide and console you. Don’t go to the wrong side. I remember reading a tweet of Joyce Meyer, ‘If you face a problem, don’t run to the phone, but to the throne of our King’. That’s true. It’s not wrong when you need prayers of others. But just asking them to pray and sitting idle will not help always.
Five: When God gives you strength, the result is peace and rest.
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