“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So, he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. (1 Kings 19:4-8)
God has spoken some great things over our lives. Things that if its going to get done, we know only God will do! This passage shares insight to the life of Elijah. God used Elijah in amazing ways! He defeated and executed the prophets of Baal, there were numerous miraculous healings and provisions, and he spoke that there would be no rain and there wasn’t. I use the word, “he” loosely because Elijah’s name is written all through the passages, but it was God working through him!
We can never forget God works through people. God is the Source. He is the Source of Elijah’s boldness. He is the Source of Elijah’s words. He is the Source of every miracle. God is the Source.
Verse 4, begins with “he himself went a days’ journey…” in our own strength we are limited, and we get weary and exhausted. Have you ever gone as far as YOU can take it? Our own attempts to advance, to protect ourselves, to provide for ourselves, can only go so far. The finiteness of our strength sometimes yields frustration and hopelessness, especially when you know God has greater in store. Elijah said it this way, “It is enough,” and he prayed ‘Lord take my life.’ What are you trying to accomplish in your own strength? I’ve got good news, you don’t have to do it in your own strength, God’s strength is available to you!
We can run from the threats, but we can’t run from God’s eye! He knows where we are and thank goodness, He knows how to care for us!! Even while we sleep, God is working. He sends an angel to touch Elijah and feed him. God wants to get our attention so He can feed us! We are not out of the reach of God. Talk about ‘taste and see that the Lord is good,’ what God provides is always good, sweet cake and water to wash it down!
I invite you to feed off God’s goodness and His gracious provision. Get into the word of God and eat from a buffet that can satisfy any appetite. Eat enough that you’re not just comforted, you’re revived! The journey is too great to settle for an occasional devotion or few minutes of prayer. God is calling us to be: BOLD, OBEDIENT, and FAITHFUL. That can only be accomplished by eating from the Shepherd’s hand.
The Bible says that the people who know their God shall do great exploits. If you really want to know Him, find Him in His Word, talk to Him, look for Him, and wait for Him. We need strength for this journey, and we find strength in Him.
In Elijah’s strength he was only able to go a day’s journey, but in verse 8, when God fed him, Elijah went for 40 days and nights over 200 miles.
I encourage you today, if you are weary, eat, your work is not done!
We declare today: God, YOU are my strength! We are going further than we’ve ever gone in the strength of the Lord.
STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY
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