“May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness—an abundance of grain and new wine” (Gen. 27:28).

His face was sullen and fatigued, and his body drenched with profuse perspiration. He had had no rest for the past two days, and now, he was running from the wicked queen who threatened his life with death. Nobody had escaped her fury, and certainly, or so he thought, he was not going to be the first to escape it. She was breathing fire over the loss of all her trusted lieutenants in a confrontation she thought they would win hands down. Unfortunately, the God of heaven had showed up in an extraordinary way at the contest on Mt. Carmel in full view of all Israel, and they had lost terribly. Elijah had hoped the queen would be hushed. But, no! Wicked Jezebel was not that kind of woman. She lived and breathed fire. Confrontation was her delight, and she picked this one very cleverly.

“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” (1 Kings 19:2).

Terror struck the heart of the prophet, and Elijah run for his life (v.3). He was afraid of the very gods he had proved to be no gods (1 Kings 18).

How true it is for us all. We are so vulnerable at the peak of victory when God has moved powerfully in our life. Elijah despaired of life and prayed the Lord to, “Take [his] life. Then he laid down and fell asleep (vv.4-5).

It’s comical to hear Elijah pleading for God to take his life when, at the same time, he was running from the threat of death. However, Elijah’s actual heart cry was, “Lord save me; for I’m tired, burned out and afraid for my life.” God heard him, compassionately opened the treasury of His bounty, and poured heaven’s dew on His battle-weary prophet. Elijah was refreshed and strengthened for the real journey of his life – the journey to the Mountain of God (vv.6-9).

Isn’t that our life’s story? Don’t we all get tired and frightful of many things? Are we not beaten down and trodden by many cares and burdens of this wicked world? Are we not threatened by the wickedness of men who are driven by the dark forces in the heavenly realm? They seek nothing, but our joy in Christ, and our testimony for His glory.

But, thank God for His opened heaven. He refreshes us with His morning dew when we are completely down and out. His word is a fountain of life to the weary. The kindness of other people responds to His command towards the exhausted saint, to refresh and strengthen for the race to the mountain top. There, God waits to embrace and redirect till His work in us is finished; and He carries us home.

So, be encouraged, my friend. Continue in the good fight, finish the race well, and keep the faith. Your crown awaits you in glory.