Thursday, April 16, 2009
Too Great a Journey
(I Kings 19:1-8)
“The best of men is a man at best”—good words to remind us of the limitations of our humanity. Even the very best men struggle, grow frustrated, have weaknesses, and demonstrate doubts. Elijah was just such a case. Was there ever such a bold prophet of God? Remember his bold confrontation of King Ahab (18:17-18) and his stunning spiritual victory on Mt. Carmel (18:25-39)? If ever an invincible hero lived, it had to be Elijah!
Or was it? Following his “mountain-top experience,” Elijah fell into a state of spiritual depression. His case is more unusual when you consider the impetus for his defeated spirit: the loud-mouthed, brassy Jezebel. Why was Elijah so troubled by a woman? After all, neither the King nor the 450 prophets of Baal could shake his faith. Perhaps the answer was simply that Jezebel was the last straw. His human reserves had run low, and he decided to run away.
We can all relate to Elijah. Stressed, burdened, and worn out— just one more little thing and we’ll snap! That’s when we need the refreshing presence of God. Elijah needed rest and physical sustenance. We’re told he received both at the Lord’s hand (6). Beyond physical restoration, however, he needed a “touch from God.”
In verse 7 the “angel of the Lord” (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) “touched him.” Just one touch from the Lord brought vim, vigor, and vitality back into the discouraged prophet. Let’s learn to rest in God’s presence and so receive His touch!
