1 Kings 19:4

New International Version (NIV)

 He came to a broom bush, 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.”

For meditation

A short time ago, he was on top of the world – the man of the hour. Elijah had picked his battles prayerfully and won the victory in the name of the LORD. Against eight hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and Asherah, God had established Elijah as His prophet and given him victory on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:18-40). God confirmed in that contest that He alone is God (39). Heaven had opened again after three and half years of drought at Elijah’s declaration (17:1), and the rains poured heavily on the land (18:45). Great victory on Mt. Carmel!

1. So, why was Elijah running for his life (19:3)? Why was he sitting helplessly under a broom bush, weary of life and wishing to die (4)?
2. Do you see how frail we are? Do you see how vulnerable we become when we hit the mountain top – those times when everything is working well, and we’re moving from one victory to another?
3. Otherwise, why should Elijah run from the threat of Jezebel one day after Mt. Carmel? Who were Baal and Asherah, the gods by whom Jezebel swore to kill Elijah (2)? Hadn’t God proved them powerless? Or, was Jezebel’s threat more powerful than God’s protection?
4. Have we not all been there before? One day we are on top of the world, and the next, we are down in the valley of despair and gloom. Do you see where fear could take us when we look to ourselves instead of Jesus, the One who gives us the victory?
5. Where would we be without the kindness and love of God in Jesus? Do you see how God quietly restored Elijah without rebuke (19:5-9)? Will He not restore and strengthen us when we fall on His mercy and grace in our struggles (Heb. 4:16)?

I pray we recognize our human frailty without Jesus. For, our victories and achievements have no power in themselves against the Jezebels of this world. Focusing on Jesus and humbly submitting to Him, is what releases His grace to carry us through every situation (2 Cor. 12:9).

So: May the Lord pick us up, where we have fallen; and may He strengthen us for the journey ahead, until we see Him face to face.

Shalom